Police make 161 arrests in West Rand District during New Year’s weekend: 76 for drunk driving
Police showed no mercy to criminals found in contravention of the law during the New Year's weekend – close to 500 arrests in Gauteng, 161 of them in the West Rand District (76 for drunk driving alone).
A total of 161 people were arrested in the West Rand District for various crimes during the New Year’s weekend.
Sergeant Elsie Tshonte of the West Rand District Police explained in a statement that the police in collaboration with other law-enforcement agencies committed themselves to creating a safe and secure environment for the communities in the District and their property. This was done through different mass operations held across Merafong City, Mogale City and Rand West City from 06:00 on December 31, 2021 to 06:00 on January 2, 2022.
Also read: Busy Christmas long weekend for West Rand Police: 192 arrested
Suspects were arrested for the following:
• One for murder
• Five for rape
• Twelve for common assault relating to domestic violence
• Six for theft
• Five for housebreaking and theft
• Two for being in possession of suspected stolen property
• Four for theft out of a motor vehicle
• Seventy-six for driving under the influence of alcohol
• One for interfering with police duties
• Two for malicious damage to property
• Five for contravening a protection order
• Three for contempt of court
• One for common robbery
• One for fraud
• One for being in possession of drugs
• Four for discharging a firearm in a municipal area
• One for culpable homicide
• One for selling liquor without a licence
• One for dealing in drugs
Other crimes committed include being in possession of a dangerous weapon (one arrest), being an undocumented person (15 arrests), contravening the Disaster Management Act, contravening the Mine Health and Safety Act, and being in possession of gold-bearing material .
All suspects will appear in magistrates’ courts in the District.
Photo submitted.
Major General Fred Kekana, the West Rand District Police Commissioner welcomed the successes and thanked police members as well as other law-enforcement agencies for their dedication during the year 2021. In addition, he thanked members of the community for supporting the police in the fight against crime.
We wish all police members and other law-enforcement agencies a blessed, healthy, peaceful, safe and prosperous new year.”
As far as the rest of the province is concerned, the Gauteng Police together with other law-enforcement agencies were out in full force and made their presence felt by securing 480 arrests for different crimes, including possession of unlicensed and illegal firearms, drunk driving, dealing in drugs, being in possession of suspected stolen vehicles, and undocumented persons among others. In addition, traffic fines of more than R250 000 were issued for various offences. Items varying from dangerous weapons, drugs, liquor, firearms and ammunition were also seized.
In Johannesburg Central, information led to the discovery of five unlicensed firearms and 43 rounds of live ammunition in different incidents. All the firearms will undergo ballistic testing to establish possible links to other crimes.
The operation also saw the police claiming back the streets of Hillbrow which are infamous for lawlessness during the New Years’ Eve celebrations.
All the arrested suspects were expected to appear before various magistrates’ courts from Monday, 03 January.
