Police continued to clamp down on crime during the festive season and several arrests were made through crime-prevention operations from December 1.
The Etwatwa SAPS arrested 70 people for various crimes, such as rape, drinking and driving, assault with grievous bodily harm, malicious damage to property, theft and possession of stolen goods, drugs and nyaope.
Spokesperson Capt Ramothakhi Maqabe said 13 shebeens were closed down during the festive season, which lowered the number of assault cases reported as most of them are a result of alcohol.
“We also conducted various operations, such as the stop-and-search, drugs and roadblocks,” said Maqabe.
“A special thanks to all the community policing forum members and patrollers, who didn’t spend time with their families and chose to fight crime to keep the Etwatwa residents safe.”
ALSO READ:
Station commander Col Molatelo Maoto said in this new year, police will continue to focus on the core root of crime.
“We will put together a plan of action and strategies to bring all the culprits into the book,” said Maoto.
“We are, however, pleased about the arrest of the alleged Barcelona rapist who has been terrorising the community and the arrest of some of the people involved in organised crimes.”
Maoto said with the arrests made, they managed to send a message that irresponsible behaviour will have consequences.
“We will continue with our operations and patrolling to ensure that residents feel safe, we will also improve the communication between the police and the community.”
A total of 247 arrests were made by the Benoni SAPS for various crimes such as drunk driving, illegal immigrants, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), possession of stolen goods and rape.
Spokesperson Capt Nomsa Sekele said these arrests were made through various crime-prevention operations and the O Kae Molao operation which was introduced by the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Elias Mawela.
“The Benoni SAPS will continue to ensure that the community feels safe with their continuous operations and to bring criminals to book,” said Sekele.
“We plead with the community to continue to work with us, as criminals are within our communities.”
The Crystal Park SAPS arrested 61 people for crimes such as murder, house break-in, theft, kidnapping, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, drugs, unlicensed firearm, attempted business burglary, armed robbery and drinking and driving.
Sgt Lerato Mopeli, Crystal Park SAPS spokesperson, said crime was controllable in the area.
“However, commuters must continue to be vigilant of the taxi that is robbing people. Community members also need to report crime as we are always ready and willing to assist 24/7,” said Mopeli.
“As schools are about to reopen, we urge parents to monitor their children’s whereabouts as some children lack discipline.”
Mopeli said they are looking forward to building a strong relationship with the residents, NGOs, businesses, forums, and other role players in the community.
A total of 213 cases were opened in Putfontein during the festive season for various crimes and unlicensed liquor outlets were closed down.
Spokesperson Const Raider Ubisi said the crime was manageable in the area as police used the multiple disciplinary approved and there was high police visibility.
“However, there were two cases of murder reported on January 2 in Mayfield Extension Six,” said Ubisi.
“In one of the cases, a boyfriend and girlfriend were involved in a squabble and when a neighbour tried to intervene he was stabbed several times in the upper body by the boyfriend who then fled the scene.”
Ubisi said in the other incident, three friends were attacked by a group of men as they were coming back from a shebeen.
“One was dead on the scene, the other two were taken to hospital and one of the suspects was arrested while the others fled.
Ubisi said a number of operations were conducted and police were patrolling at Mayfield Square to ensure that shoppers felt safe.
“We also had minor accidents on Du Randt road as that’s where most accidents occur,” he said.
“There was a soccer tournament which we believe kept most people busy as they would spend most of their time at the soccer fields.”
He added that the community must continue to work with the police for a safer community.
