About 100 police officers lined up for a parade at Northgate Shopping Centre before splitting up into smaller groups and running an Okae Molao operation in the area on September 3.
The officers came from stations and units across Gauteng and represented the cream of the crop in their divisions, and a crowd of community members watched on as they received their orders from Honeydew Police Station Commander Brigadier Anesh Maharaj and Lenasia Police Station Commander Brigadier Theledi Gopane, among others.
They were to split into groups and run various stop-and-searches and other, more targeted, activities. In total, 100 people were arrested that night, 95 vehicles and 275 people were searched, and the compliance of 17 liquor outlets were checked.
A dozen or so officers were dressed in civilian clothes, as it would be better for their safety if they were not in uniform for the activities they would engage in.
Before the parade broke up, one of the officers was asked to pray for everyone’s safety.
All this while Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela was joined by senior management of the police and other law enforcement agencies at Honeydew Police Station at the same time as the parade.
There they discussed the management and details of this Okae Molao operation, among others.
The whole event was aimed at stamping the authority of the state and assisting the local police station with the reduction of crime, Honeydew Police spokesperson, Captain Balan Muthan explained.
He said this was a success, as 100 arrests were made.
The arrests were as follows:
- Undocumented persons: 65
- Drunken driving: 19
- Selling of liquor without a licence: eight
- Fraud and illegal immigrants: two
- Possession of dangerous weapon: one
- Assault GBH (with intent to cause grievous bodily harm): one
- Possession of drugs: two
- Interference with police duties: one
- Possession of unlicensed firearm: one
The day’s events also tie in with the police’s integrated public service month.
During September, residents can expect public servants to ‘walk the talk’ as per the theme ‘batho pele revitalisation’.
This means they will protect and serve the community with pride, Muthan concluded.
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