The provincial police commissioner Lt Gen Elias Mawela accompanied by his deputy Major Gen Johan Ndlovu and the district commissioner of Ekurhuleni Major Gen Vincent Leshabane led a massive Okae Molao (where is the law) crime prevention operation across the Benoni area.
The operation kicked off recently with roadblocks on Great North and Kingsway roads, accumulating in cracking down on an illegal mining operation on the mine shafts near Benoni Road before closing with outreach awareness at Lakeside Mall.
A total of 19 undocumented people were arrested, two illegal firearms were confiscated, traffic fines to the value of R106 900 were issued, one person was found in possession of drugs, two people were arrested for illegal mining, and two vehicles were confiscated.
The Ekurhuleni police, EMPD, Gauteng Traffic Police, Tracker, and members from the Vehicle Investigation Unit were part of the operation.
During the roadblocks, police also enforced Covid-19 regulations such as social distancing and making sure motorists and pedestrians were wearing their face masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Mawela said this operation follows a meeting with the Benoni community in 2019.
“Even though it took so long for us to come back to Benoni, I still recall the concerns that were raised by the community such as illegal mining, drugs and prostitution,” said Mawela.
The commissioner said during the roadblock they found a stolen vehicle and another vehicle’s engine was tampered with, leading to the arrest of both drivers.
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“We arrested four people in connection with illegal mining and we also closed down two illegal liquor outlets, while confiscating 55 pendukas, 13 gas cylinders, 28 explosives, 23 iron pots and gardening tools,” he said.
“What worries me about these explosives is that they were identified as explosives that are used by mining houses.
This tells me that those companies don’t have measures in place to control the dispatching of the explosives.”
He said some of these explosives are used for ATM bombings and cash-in-transit heist.
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“We call upon the mining houses to put better methods to control how these explosives get dispatched. We are also at the mall to interact with the shoppers and to also ensure that shop owners adhere to the Covid-19 regulation,” said Mawela.
“Criminals these days target jewellery shops and the post office so our presence here will ensure everyone’s safety.”
Mawela added that residents must not lose hope.
“We urge them to continue working with the local police and share information so we can act upon it.
“We have heard the concerns of residents and we will ensure that we put measures in place to ensure that these crimes are dealt with.”
