More than 20 domestic violence related arrests this past weekend

Police operations held over the past weekend saw 153 people landing behind bars and although that seems impressive, an alarmingly high number of people were arrested for domestic violence.

Twenty-four people found themselves locked up for domestic violence related crimes while there were also 20 arrested for assault, 22 arrested for drunken-driving and three people arrested for child negligence.

The multi-disciplinary operations took place throughout the West Rand District from Friday, November 25 at 06:00 until Sunday, November 27 at 06:00. This included an Okae Molao operation in Muldersdrift and Krugersdorp on Saturday, November 26 from 19:00.

In a statement from West Rand Police’s corporate communications, Warrant Officer Audrey Sefara, she explained that the main focus of the Okae Molao operation was crime prevention, roadblocks, stop and searches, compliance raiding of liquor stores and secondhand dealers.

Over the weekend suspects were arrested for a number of crimes which included:
• Three arrests for business robbery,
• Two arrests for pointing a firearm,
• 18 arrests for theft,
• 17 arrests for common assault (domestic violence),
• 15 arrests for assault with the intent to cause grievous body harm,
• Three arrests for assault with intend to cause grievous body harm and malicious damage to property,
• Two arrests fro possession of stolen property,
• Two arrests for common assault
• Six arrests for illegal mining,
• Eight arrests for possession of drugs,
• Six arrests for assault with the intend to cause grievous body harm (domestic violence),
• One arrest for contempt of court,
• Three arrests for child negligence,
• 22 arrests for drunken-driving,
• Three arrests for malicious damage to property,
• Two arrests for business burglary,
• One arrest for possession of gold bearing material,
• Six arrests for selling liquor without license,
• One arrest for dealing in drugs,
• Two arrests for being in possession of dagga and malicious damage to property,
• One arrest for being in possession of house breaking implements,
• Two arrests for interfering in police duties,
• One arrest for contravention of a protection order and malicious damage to property (domestic violence),
• Two arrests for dealing in dagga,
• One arrest for tampering with essential infrastructure,
• 23 arrests for being an undocumented person.

“All arrested suspects will appear before their respective courts within the district soon,” said Sefara.

She added that the District Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana has expressed his appreciation to the members of the South African Police Service and other law enforcement agencies for availing themselves when duty calls and indicated that even more ‘Safer Festive Season Operations’ will be conducted to ensure safety and security for all.

According to Sefara he also urged the community to take safety precautions when they leave their home on vacation.

You can do this by:
• Asking neighbours to keep an eye out when the property is left unattended.
• Enhance security systems such as surveillance cameras and fitting of security gates.
• Avoid having too much money in your possession.
• Avoid giving strangers/ hitchhikers a lifts.
• Do not drive in secluded areas, alone at night and avoid stopping on the side of the road but rather drive to the nearest filling station.
• Always be alert when driving.
• Call the nearest police station telephone number, SAPS Emergency number 10111, make use of the My SAPS app or alternatively call SAPS Crime Stop line on 08600 10111 to report crime anonymously.