This past weekend the police in the West Rand targeted crime in all three district municipalities where 101 people were arrested.
Captain Solomon Sibiya from the police explained the operation started at 15:00 on July 28 with Brigadier Marinda Theron taking the lead. Named the West Rand District Overaching Operation Shanela it lasted until 23:00 and was supported by various partners and stakeholders like Home Affairs, Crime Prevention Wardens, Mogale City Traffic, Bekkersdal Community Policing Forum executives, and the Myburgh Foundation.
The operation was made up of five phases which included three crime prevention exercises, a flash group and two roadblocks.
The first group’s focus was in Mogale City – the Kagiso police precinct to be more specific. A roadblock was set up on the corner of the M13 and R41 near the Azaadville intersection. A second group was in Rand West City in Randfontein where a roadblock was set up on the N14 near the Brandvlei road crossing. A third group focused on Merafong City’s Fochville precinct and the N12 and R500 roads.
Sibiya said no stone was left unturned and 34 people were arrested by the Visible Policing Crime Prevention (Vispol) members and flash groups while another 67 were arrested by detectives.
Of the 34 arrests made by Vispol, one person was arrested for theft and having a Toyota Fortuner believed to be stolen. One person had explosives, three were dealing in alcohol without a license, two were dealing in dagga, one had dagga on him, seven were arrested for drunk driving, one for illegal mining, one was arrested for the contravention of mine health and safety act and were 17 arrests for being illegal immigrants.
The detectives arrested three people who were wanted for murder, 22 people for assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, seven for common assault and or domestic violence, five for fraud and theft, six for housebreaking and theft, 10 for theft, one for intimidation, three for common robbery, four for contravening a protection order, three for malicious damage to property and three unlicensed liquor outlets were also closed. Two also had a warrant of arrest for drug possession,
Traffic officers also issued 68 fines to the value of R61 500.
“On behalf of the West Rand District Commissioner, Major General Fred Kekana, Theron was pleased about the results of the operation and expressed her satisfaction and gratitude to all role players,” added Sibiya.
