Police in the West Rand District arrested 109 people as the weekly Operation O Kae Molao continued in and around Randfontein on Thursday, 7 January.
According to Captain Raymond Sebonyane, spokesperson for the West Rand District Police and Krugersdorp Police Station, the operation started at 5.30am and was a joint effort led by Major General Fred Kekana, the West Rand District Police commissioner, the Visible Policing Unit, Detectives, Public Order Policing, Employee Health and Wellness, Community Safety, Gauteng Traffic Police, Correctional Services, Sibanye security, SPS Security and G42 mining security.
The main focus of the operation was on roadblocks, contact crimes, serious and violent crimes, illegal mining, tracing suspects, and enforcing disaster management regulations.
While addressing the parade at Tambotie Mall in Randfontein, Major General Kekana said that Operation O Kae Molao aims to prioritise the safety of the District’s residents as the District has encountered an increase in priority crimes such as house robberies, murders and hijackings.
Some of the arrests during the operation:
• two for murder
• one for attempted murder
• one for armed robbery
• three for rape
• three for common robbery
• four for housebreaking and theft
• one for business robbery
• one for drunken driving
• one for possession of an unlicensed firearm
• six for possession of drugs
• four for possession of gold-bearing material
• four for possession of suspected stolen property
• 13 for assault with intent to cause bodily harm
• 11 for theft
• 12 for domestic violence related crimes
• 11 for malicious damage to property
• one for culpable homicide
• four for reckless and/ or negligent driving
• one for contempt of court
• one for common assault
• one for possession of dagga
• one for dealing in dagga
• one for dealing in liquor without a licence
• 17 for undocumented persons
• one for non-compliance with the Pharmacy Act
In addition, 33 fines were issued for National. Road Traffic Act violations and non-compliance with the Second Hand Goods Act to the value of R22 300, one liquor outlet was closed and 132 920ml of liquor was confiscated.
A silver Toyota Hilux bakkie that was carrying gold-bearing material was also confiscated. All arrested suspects are expected to appear in the Randfontein Magistrates’ Court soon.”
Major General Kekana thanked all members and other law-enforcement agencies for their dedication and commitment by making sure that the community is feeling safe and protected, and by making sure that those who break the law are brought to book.
He also emphasised that not only the public, but police also must adhere to Covid-19 protocols and they should wear their masks at all times, sanitize after each and every search, and wash their hands with running water and soap. He further encouraged the members to be operational ready and protect each other.
Members of the public are encouraged to report crime or suspicious activities by contacting their nearest police station or calling the SAPS Crime Stop Line 08600 10111.
Information may also be conveyed to the police anonymously by means of the mySAPS app that can be downloaded on any smartphone.
