Gauteng police arrested over 816 wanted suspects following the intensive provincial O Kae Molao Tracing Operation held across Gauteng on August 25.
More than 169 were arrested for gender-based violence and crime against women and children, while others were arrested for serious and violent crimes that include murder, attempted murder, rape, sexual assault, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, malicious damage to property and robbery.
According to Gauteng police spokesperson Kay Makhubele, the suspect-tracing operation ended in the early hours of August 26.
“The operation aims to ensure that those who were in hiding and evaded the arrests are hunted down and brought to book.
“Detectives in Gauteng promise to continue with such tracing operations as long as there are still wanted suspects who are roaming the streets,” said Makhubele.
Meanwhile, Vehicle Crimes Investigation Unit, Tracker, Fidelity Security, Data Dot and police reservists raided the scrapyards and second-hand dealerships in search of hijacked and stolen vehicles in Soweto, Nancefield and Eldorado Park.
Makhubele confirmed the recovery of four hijacked BMW vehicles and engines.
Gauteng provincial commissioner Lt-Gen Elias Mawela applauded the work done by the officers.
In a separate case, police arrested three suspects for attempted hijacking, possession of unlicensed firearms and impersonating the police in Kempton Park on August 26.
The suspects were arrested on the R21 Highway in Kempton Park at about 08:30, following the observation of the Crime Prevention Unit of Kempton Park.
According to Makhubele, police officers received information about a white Toyota Corolla driving on R21 Kempton Park with three occupants in metro police uniforms.
“The vehicle, which had blue lights installed, was spotted and stopped; one suspect tried to run away. Upon searching the vehicle, two unlicensed firearms were recovered. All three suspects were arrested,” said Makhubele.
The three suspects are expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on August 30 to face charges of attempted hijacking, possession of unlicensed firearms and impersonating the police.
