WATCH: Operation Okae Molao clamps down on crime around Actonville policing precinct

On January 12 and 13, more suspects were arrested for various crimes.

January 18, 2022

Ntombikayise Sibeko 1 minute read

Senior officials from the Ekurhuleni district engaged residents of Harry Gwala informal settlement about the dangers of illegal mining, alcohol abuse and gender-based violence during Operation Okae Molao on January 13.

As part of the SAPS’s efforts to fight crime, several police officers from various police stations in Ekurhuleni saturated the streets of Actonville to bother criminals during the Okae Molao operation.

Members from the EMPD, Gauteng Traffic as well as other stakeholders took part in the operation.

The deputy district commissioner, Brig Lebohang Machakela, as well as other senior officers led the multidisciplinary operation aimed at reducing the levels of crime in the province.

According to Machakela, the operation began on January 12 where detectives arrested about 224 suspects for various crimes.

Out of the arrested suspects, 108 were for contact crimes, such as assault, assault related to domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, common robbery and attempted murder.

Members of the Actonville SAPS are seen with the drugs that were confiscated from drug dealers around the Actonville policing precinct during Operation Okae Molao on January 13. Back (from left) Const Thabiso Senne and Sgt Mandla Shabangu. Front: Sgt Maidi Malatsi, Sgt Clerance Motimele and Sgt Basetsana Moumakwe.

Furthermore, 17 suspects were arrested for malicious damage to property while 19 people were arrested for housebreaking, business burglary, theft and the use of motor vehicles without the owners’ concern.

The following day, the operation focused on illegal mining, drug-related and contact crimes. Accompanied by Brig Machakela, acting Actonville Police Station Lt Col Louis Maluleka and other senior offices visited Harry Gwala informal settlement in Actonville where issues of illegal mining are prevalent.

They created awareness about the dangers of illegal mining, alcohol abuse and gender-based violence.

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Successes
The day continued to be fruitful as more arrests were made. Police recovered a 9mm pistol with a magazine and six live ammunition.

Seventy-five people were arrested for serious crimes, including illegal mining, theft, contravention of protection order, intimidation, pointing of a firearm and reckless driving.

About three unlicensed liquor outlets were closed while two people were arrested for dealing in drugs.

Five second-hand shops were fined R7 500 for non-compliance and 53 traffic fines amounting to R19 000 were issued.

Meanwhile, several generators, gas bottles, steels balls, steel pots, acetylene torches, steel pipes, water pipe spanners, scales, welding helmets, cocaine, nyaope and alcohol were seized.