WATCH: Operation O Kae Molao cracks the whip in Benoni

Gauteng provincial commissioner Lt-Gen Elias Mawela led a multi-disciplinary crime-prevention operation in Paul Kruger Road, Kingsway, Benoni, on February 24.

Joined by senior management of the SAPS and other law-enforcement agencies, including Gauteng Traffic Department, EMPD, home affairs and various private security companies, Operation O Kae Molao, set out to make the police’s presence known throughout the city.

According to Mawela, the operation, which included a stop-and-search roadblock, yielded great success and is sending a strong message that the police will not desist in its fight against crime.

“We are aware that illegal mining is a huge problem in Benoni and that those involved are becoming more violent,” he said.

“We are seeing a shift in our crime-prevention operations and through the dedication and hard work of our officers and detectives, criminals are being brought to book.

“This week alone, our courts have finalised 25 cases, with the collective sentences amounting to 350 years, including eight life sentences.”

Mawela sees this as a victory for the police as well as the community.

During the operation, which saw police clash with illegal miners at shaft 13, van Rhyn, several illegal mining implements (pendukas), explosives and alcohol were seized.

Further successes include:
• Forty traffic fines issued, amounting to R16 900.
• Forty illegal immigrants were arrested.
• More than 50 pendukas were confiscated.
• A large quantity of dagga was seized.
• One vehicle was impounded, as the engine number had been tampered with.

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