A total of 170 suspects were arrested during an integrated Okae Molao operation held by police in the West Rand District on Thursday, June 2 in the Kagiso Policing Precinct.
Joining police were members of the Mogale City Traffic Police, JMPD, Department of Correctional Services, Home Affairs, Department of Community Safety, and Community Policing Forum patrollers.
West Rand District Police communications officer Sergeant Linkie Lefakane said in their endeavour to restore law and order, minimise the space for criminals and make the community of Kagiso safe, the District Police commissioner Major General Fred Kekana with other senior officers from the District led an operation in five phases.
The five phases entailed setting up a roadblock at Impala and David Webster Road in Tshepisong; focusing on crime-prevention and illegal mining around Kagiso Central, Soul City, Chief Mogale, Chamdor and Extensions 6 and 9; focusing on crime-prevention around Tshepisong, Leratong Village, Tshepisong West, Swaneville and Mayiboye; focusing on crime-prevention and illegal mining around Rietvallei, Lancaster and Azaadville; setting up vehicle checkpoints along the R41 and Bashani Road intersection in Azaadville, the Adcock and Jacobs Streets T-junction, and the Station Road and Tudor Street T-junction; and the detectives traced suspects.
The main focus was on areas where illegal mining and other serious crimes were prevalent.
Criminal behaviour in this area is of concern as members arrested nine suspects – two for drunken driving and seven for possession of gold-bearing material while on their way to this operation. This is a job well done, and shows that members are always ready to serve and protect when reporting for duty.
“Let us all work together and do our best to leave a real direct, visible and tangible impact to alleviate negative comments or perceptions about the organisation,” said Major General Kekana.
Suspects were arrested for various crimes: 26 for murder; one for attempted murder; 25 for assault with intend to do grievous bodily harm; one for a business burglary; five for residential burglaries; one for armed robbery; one for common robbery; one for possession of ammunition; ten for theft; four for rape; two for attempted rape; ten for common assault relating to domestic violence; 13 for malicious damage to property; four for dealing in drugs; one for dealing in dagga; one for possession of ammunition; three for possession of drugs; six for possession of dagga; three for damage to infrastructure; three for illegal mining; six for dealing in liquor without a licence; and one each for culpable homicide and contravention of protection order.
“Minor offences such as undocumented persons, reckless and/ or negligent driving were also policed,” said Sergeant Lefakane.
She added that a total of 84 traffic fines to the value of R78 100 and one police fine to the value of R1 500 were issued for transporting animals without a permit.
Major General Kekana applauded and thanked all the members for a job well done.
I’m grateful to be amongst this team. Thank you for the team spirit, your efforts will not go by unnoticed,” he concluded.
All arrested suspects are expected to appear in the Kagiso Magistrate’s Court soon.
