Another successful Okae Molao Operation under the leadership of the West Rand District Police commissioner Major General Fred Kekana saw 100 arrests on Thursday, July 8.
The operation was conducted in the Bekkersdal and Westonaria Policing Precincts and addressed criminal activities. Gauteng Traffic, Randwest Traffic, Department of Correctional Services, Department of Community Safety and local patrollers joined the police in the operation.
Westonaria Police spokesperson Sergeant Audrey Sefara said Major General Kekana informed the members of the scourge of crime in accordance with the Crime Pattern Analysis, acknowledged the presence of members during this pandemic, told them to take precautionary measures when conducting stops-and-searches, and encouraged members to vaccinate for Covid-19 for their safety, the safety of their families and colleagues.
The operation began with two roadblocks, one on the N12 and one on the R28/ R559 road. Vehicles were stopped, and searches were conducted. Two crime-prevention groups were working in Bekkersdal and Westonaria respectively to stamp the authority of the state to ensure that law and order were maintained.
A total of 48 fines to the value of R40 000 were issued for violation of road traffic regulations.
“Compliance inspections were also conducted at second-hand goods dealerships and liquor outlets, with fines valued at R4 500 issued for non-compliance with regulations. A team of detectives also arrested wanted and known suspects.”
During the operation, 100 arrests were made for the following crimes:
• One for murder
• Two for attempted murder
• 18 for assault with intend to cause grievous bodily harm
• Four for common assault
• Four for common assault under domestic violence
• One for intimidation
• One for contravention of protection order
• Eight for theft
• Three for business burglary
• Two for housebreaking and theft
• Eleven for malicious damage to property
• One for pointing a firearm
• Two for possession of suspected stolen property (copper cable)
• Two for possession of gold-bearing material and fire hoses
• Three for illegal mining
• Four for possession of dagga
• One for possession of drugs
• One for drunken driving
• Two for fraud
• One for possession of counterfeit money
• Two for possession of housebreaking implements
• Two for reckless and negligent driving
• One for contempt of court
• 22 undocumented persons
The arrested suspects will appear in the Westonaria Magistrates’ Court.
Sergeant Sefara said Major General Kekana was delighted with the outcome of the operation and successes achieved. He admired the joint efforts by law-enforcement agencies in the fight against crime, and he mentioned that these types of operations are conducted on a weekly basis not only to fight crime, but to make certain that criminals know that they have nowhere to hide, and to win the community’s trust.
