Officers within the Ekurhuleni West SAPS District police stations made 178 arrests during several weekend operations.
The operations which were carried out under Operation Okae Molao, included stop-and-searches and roadblocks.
They were held throughout the district by SAPS Crime Prevention Unit and SAPS Visible Policing Unit members between February 21 and 23.
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The Ekurhuleni West SAPS District is made up of the Bedfordview, Primrose, Germiston, Elsburg, Alberton, Brackendowns, Katlehong North, Thokoza, Eden Park, Vosloorus, Zonkizizwe and Katlehong police stations.
The accused were charged with various offences.
Charges included murder, attempted murder, rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, hijacking, armed robbery, common robbery, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, common assault, domestic violence, malicious damage to property, trespassing, possession of suspected stolen property, pointing of a firearm, house break-in and theft, shoplifting, dealing in liquor without a licence, dealing in drugs and driving under the influence of alcohol.
EMPD officers who assisted in the weekend’s operations also issued a number of fines to motorists and encouraged the community to drive safely.
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A number of missing persons cases were also reported during the weekend, which officers began following up on.
Police reminded the community that there is no waiting period to report a missing person.
All of the arrested suspects appeared in either the Germiston, Vosloorus or Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Courts, where their cases were postponed for various reasons.
