West Rand Police nab 132 suspects during Easter

Police on the West Rand held various multidisciplinary operations across Mogale City, Rand West City, and Merafong City during Easter making 132 arrests in the process.

Joining police in the operations which started on Friday, April 7 and concluded on Monday, April 10 were the CPF, safety patrollers, and the Department of Home Affairs.

Those arrested had committed various offenses including rape; intimidation under domestic violence; drunken driving; sexual offenses; robbery; assault GBH; common assault under domestic violence; interfering with police’s duties; dealing in dagga; assaulting police; dealing in dagga; being in possession and dealing in drugs; housebreaking and theft; having stolen property; having an unlicensed firearm and ammunition; having a dangerous weapon; common robbery; theft and shoplifting.

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A total of 21 illegal immigrants were also arrested.

Then on April 6, in a continued effort to fight crime, police and stakeholders held another operation which included roadblocks and detective work started across the district which led to 142 arrests.

Perpetrators committed various crimes including having unlicensed firearms and ammunition; dealing in liquor without a license; dealing in dagga; having housebreaking implements; drunken driving and bribery; having drugs; having gold-bearing material; loitering to commit prostitution; common robbery; having suspected stolen property; theft; attempted housebreaking and theft as well as illegal immigrants.

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Detectives then successfully traced and arrested suspects for murder, rape, common robbery, common assault under domestic violence, theft, contravening a protection order, assault, gender-based violence, common assault, being in possession of drugs and suspected stolen property; intimidation as well as business burglary.

Two firearms and two magazines were also recovered during the operation, whereas 643 099 ml of liquor were confiscated when illegal shebeens were shut down.

A further 42 fines to the value of R47 700 were issued for non-compliance and traffic offenses.

The acting West Rand District police commissioner Brigadier Happy Xaba applauded the members for restoring law and order before the Easter holidays, and for also bringing hope to residents of the district during such a period. He further encouraged them to never stop fighting crime even when they are off duty.

All arrested suspects are to appear in a Magistrate’s Court in their respective municipalities.