Okae Molau sees 10 roadblocks in one day in the Douglasdale police precinct
DAINFERN – Police, JMPD and CPF host big operation with 10 roadblocks in one day.
A police parade and about 10 roadblocks were conducted in the Douglasdale police precinct as SAPS, Metro police and the Community Policing Forum hit the streets on 15 April.
Part of Operation Okae Molau, the biggest road block was implemented on the corner of William Nicol and Broadacres drives, in Dainfern.
Hundreds of motorists were pulled over as officers checked their car licence disks, driving licences and searched for stolen goods.
“Okae Molau means ‘where is the law’ and we are conducting it because people have been asked where are the police, and we need to increase visibility,” said the police’s Major General Max Masha, who is responsible for 41 police stations in the Joburg area.
He personally assisted officers in their searches and checking the credentials of drivers.
“One of the challenges in this precinct is hijackings and we are checking for stolen vehicles and firearms, and drugs. There is also human trafficking in the area. Today we are also going to the second-hand dealers in the precinct and checking for stolen cell phones. But we appeal to the public to not buy stolen goods from anyone, because if they stopped that, there would be no market for stolen goods.”
Masha added that police faced a double fight against crime in that the coronavirus was also claiming lives, and police had to risk their safety to ensure the compliance of the public to safety protocols.
Douglasdale police spokesperson Captain Mpho Tshetlhane confirmed that 21 suspects were arrested on the day throughout the precinct.
These on charges ranging from assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to contravening a court order, fraud, assault common, possession of dagga and dealing in dagga.
“Among the arrested suspects, 13 were illegal immigrants,” Tshetlhane added.
“Liquor was also confiscated at two liquor outlets, one in Vandis and one in Kya Sand informal settlements. About 40 traffic fines were also issued and 560 pamphlets were distributed.”
These pamphlets related to safety and crime security tips.
Douglasdale Community Policing Forum chairperson Lizzy Mabena was also present on the day with some members of the CPF, and she too asked community members to not support crime by purchasing stolen goods.
“We like to join the SAPS when they have big operations like this, as we are the eyes and ears on the community and we keep the police accountable while partnering with them to make the community safer.”
