Crime fighting units rake in successes

In preparation for the planned national shutdown, members of the Benoni Flying Squad (BFS) were deployed to conduct concentrated highway patrols throughout the weekend.

A 40-year-old man was arrested on charges of being in possession of a hijacked vehicle on March 19.

According to Warrant Officer Grant Giblin, spokesperson for the unit, officers were conducting routine stop-and-search operations on the R24, near the Gilloolys interchange, when they stopped a white Volkswagen Polo Vivo.

“It was found that the registration number displayed on the vehicle did not match that of the licensed disc. It was confirmed that the vehicle had been reported as hijacked in Dennilton, Limpopo,” he said.

In further operations conducted by members of the Rapid Response Services (RRS) throughout the province, 155 suspects were arrested, while 51 motor vehicles as well as 10 firearms were recovered.

Members of the Flying Squad, K9 Units and Highway Patrol participated in various concentrated operations, including vehicle checkpoints, secure escorts and intensive patrols.

“Seventy suspects were arrested for various crimes including assault with the intent of causing grievous bodily harm, theft, shoplifting, kidnapping, attempted murder, rape, illegal mining, robbery, business burglary, house break-in and malicious property damage,” said Giblin.

“Members recovered 51 hijacked and stolen vehicles with a further 12 arrests being made for being in possession of these vehicles.”

In addition, 10 unlicensed firearms were recovered accompanied by nine arrests.

Further policing led to the arrest of 64 people on charges of being in possession of and dealing drugs. Heroine, dagga, Mandrax, meth and cocaine were seized in these separate incidents.

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