More than 100 arrested during operation

The police and other law enforcement agencies took more than 100 offenders off the streets in the Carletonville and Khutsong area last week. According to the communication officer of the police in Khutsong, Captain Eddie Boboko, members of the South African Police Service in the West Rand District were joined by Gauteng Provincial Traffic Police, Merafong Traffic, the Gauteng Department Of Community Safety, Department of Home Affairs as well as mine security members form Sibanye-Stillwater and Harmony Gold. This O Kae Molae operation aimed to track down criminals in the Carletonville and Khutsong area on 25 November. The action started at 06:30 and continued to 16:00. It was held under the command of the West Rand District Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana. “It was not only O Kae Molao operation as members of Communication and Social Crime Prevention from different police station within the West Rand District joined the team and launched the 16 Days Of Activism. This was done by educating and empowering the community by distributing pamphlets, loud hailing, community engagement in the Carletonville Central Business District Area, Taxi Rank and Khutsong South and during road blocks. The purpose of the launch was to address gender based violence, domestic violence, rapes, murder, assaults and other crimes against women and children,” says Boboko. A total of 108 suspects were arrested. Two were apprehended for attempted murder, 15 for assault with intent to grievous bodily harm, 16 for assault, four for rape, one for armed robbery, five for business robbery, one for common robbery, three for burglary at residences, eight for theft and 14 for malicious damage to property. Various other criminals were also arrested. Four were arrested for the possession of drugs, one for the possession of stolen property, one for the possession of dagga and live ammunition, two for dealing in liquor without a license and two for driving under the influence of alcohol. Other suspects were arrested for various crimes such as child abandonment, contempt of court, contravention of protection order, fraud, reckless and negligent driving and intimidation. The police also confiscated 275 litres of liquor and arrested 13 illegal immigrants. During the roadblocks and crime prevention a total of 41 traffic fines to the value of R38 600 were issued. A total of 1300 safety tips and domestic violence pamphlets were also distributed during the crime awareness. All arrested suspects will appear in Oberholzer and Khutsong Magistrate court soon. The District Commissioner, Major General Fred Kekana, thanked all SAPS members, all other law enforcement agencies and community patrollers for their efforts in making sure our community is and feel safe during this festive season. He reminded residents to take full precautions in line with Covid 19 protocols, as the disease is still with us. He also urged everyone who will be travelling during the holiday season, to be careful and to keep to the rules of the road by avoiding speeding and driving while under the influence of alcohol. Kekana also reminded residents that were are now in the government’s campaign of 16 days for no Violence Against Women and Children. “Let us all stand together to stamp out the evil of gender based violence in our communities by working with the police and report those who abuse women and children. Let us conclude the year with the commitment to respect, and uphold and support the aims of this campaign for 365 days of the year,” he said.