Lt-Gen Elias Mawela, the Gauteng police commissioner, led operation O Kae Molao through the streets of Kempton Park on May 13. Members from EMPD, CPF, Gauteng Traffic and immigration, among other units, formed part of the operation.
Gauteng MEC for community safety Faith Mazibuko were also among those present and ensured things were done correctly.
“I promised a while ago to return and I have. Today is another deposit and we are here to assert the authority of the state,” said Mawela during the operation.
Among those arrested during the operation were 46 undocumented people.
“The Department of Home Affairs processed the people and confirmed the people were illegally in the country and were taken in,” added Mawela. “One person was nabbed for drugs, three illegal shebeens were closed and liquor was also confiscated. Three vehicles that were found to not be roadworthy were impounded.”
Mawela also told Express some of the members visited scrap yards. “Two people were arrested as they were found in possession of telecom cables.
“We also found one unlicensed firearm during one of the roadblocks; we suspect someone threw it out the window at the sight of the roadblock.”
Mawela and Mazibulko also led some of the members through the two taxi ranks on Pretoria Road in Kempton Park CBD, where they checked for Covid-19 protocols.
“It is important to check that the taxi drivers, owners and passengers still adhere to the Covid-19 because we suspect that some might have let their guard down,” said Mazibuko. “Covid-19 is still around and we need to adhere to the protocols to ensure our safety and health and that of our friends and family members. During our previous visit, we observed strict measures taken such as every passenger being sanitised, everyone wearing a mask before entering and while inside the taxi and the taxis being disinfected regularly. We were worried to learn that some of the passengers were stating they had not been sanitised before entering taxis and we spoke to the managers to ensure that all procedures are followed.”
Mazibuko also informed the passengers they should remind taxi drivers to sanitise them or if they don’t they should use their own sanitisers. She shared the same sentiments with taxi drivers who said some passengers preferred using their own sanitisers, to which she replied: “Then ask them to take it out of their bags and sanitise before getting inside the taxi. No one should be allowed inside a taxi without a mask and being sanitised.”
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Mawela said community involvement is important when dealing with crime.
“I call upon the community of Kempton Park. We appreciate the support they give to us. Let them be our eyes and ears and continue to report illegal activities,” said Mawela.
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