WATCH: Ekurhuleni District police commissioner pleased with operation’s success
The operation saw policemen and women perform stop-and-searches on Sontonga Road.
Police arrested 260 suspects during the first phase of Operation Okae Molao conducted across Ekurhuleni between February 9 and 10.
According to the Ekurhuleni District police commissioner Maj-Gen Anna Sithole, the operation started with the detectives working on tracing suspects on February 9.
The suspects were arrested on various charges, including 141 contact crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder, robberies and gender-based violence, explained Sithole.
She said at least 59 suspects were arrested for trio crimes, ranging from carjacking, house robberies, theft and arson.
Eighteen others were arrested for crimes dependent on police action, ranging from drinking and driving and dealing in drugs, she added.
Sithole led the operation in Mofokeng Section, Katlehong, accompanied by Katlehong South SAPS station commander Brig Albertina Vesi.
The operation saw policemen and women perform stop-and-searches on Sontonga Road.
“As the district, we came to assist the Katlehong SAPS. You can see that this is an integrated operation. We have all the law enforcement – our home affairs, traffic department, metro police, patrollers and the CPF. We are here to stamp down our authority,” she said.
She said Katlehong detectives also held their operation on February 9 and arrested 16 wanted suspects.
“This is the first phase of the operation, the roadblock. The aim is to search the vehicles and people. We are looking for stolen firearms, dangerous property or any dangerous weapons,” she added.
Sithole said a vehicle that had been tampered with, which was also impounded.
“There is a suspicion that it might have been stolen.”
She confirmed they also confiscated a motorcycle that showed signs of having been tampered with.
“We arrested one person for drinking and driving and four suspects for dealing in crystal meth.”
Sithole explained they held four operations simultaneously in Katlehong, with one focusing on the roadblocks while the other focused on drugs.
She said two liquor outlets and two second-hand goods shops were closed after they were found to be operating illegally.
