A total of 200 suspects were arrested by the police in the West Rand District this past weekend, with the focus being on decreasing violent crimes.
Operations took place between Friday, 18 September and Sunday, 20 September and were led by female police officers along with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Gauteng Traffic Police as well as other law-enforcement agency members who focused on stops and searches, vehicle checkpoints, rural safety and enforcing the National Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 regulations. In addition, the above-mentioned forces also dealt with liquor-related crimes in order to minimise accidents and culpable homicide.
A total of 10 arrests were made for domestic-violence related common assault, 10 for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, three for common assault, one for house robbery, four for robbery, one for rape, one for sexual assault, one for business burglary and nine for theft. In addition, 60 arrests were made for drunk driving, and six unlicensed liquor outlets were closed as well as their managers arrested.
There were also 24 arrests made for possession of drugs. Other arrests included malicious damage to property, pointing a firearm, possession of dangerous weapons, possession of gold-bearing material, possession of housebreaking implements, trespassing, warrant of arrest, crimen injura, shoplifting, illegal immigrants, possession of counterfeit cigarettes, contravention of the Covid-19 regulations, fraud, malicious damage to property, illegal mining, and housebreaking with the intent to steal, as well as contravention of Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996.
All suspects will be appearing in magistrates’ courts in the district. Sehlohlo added that Major General Fred Kekana, the West Rand District Police Commissioner welcomed all the successes over the weekend and thanked everyone involved. He also condemned the act of gender-based violence in communities, and requested that such behaviour be reported to police as soon as possible.
He further encouraged the community to work together with the police in the fight against crime by reporting those who break the law to the police at Crime Stop line on 08600 10111, on the MySAPS app or send an SMS to 32211.
