Another 68 arrests during police operation on the R500/ N12
The West Rand District Police along with stakeholders made 68 successful arrests during Operation Shanela held in just one night.
Close to 70 arrests were made by police in the West Rand District during a four-phase operation which included roadblocks and vehicle checkpoints (VCP) on the N12 and R500 this past weekend.
The operation was led by West Rand District Police Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana and was held from 19:00 on August 12 to 02:00 on August 13, however, female officers were allowed to take command and control of the parades as a symbol of honouring the internationally recognised Women’s Month.
Captain Solomon Sibiya of the police said in a statement the operation was also held in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and social partners which included among others the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, Home Affairs, traffic police, Crime Prevention Wardens, community safety patrollers, local CPF and security companies.
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“Areas of focus for crime prevention and flash groups working in Fochville included Mphahla village, Kokosi township Ext 5,6,9 and farms, Fochville CBD, and R54 road. For Wedela, the groups focused on Skopas, Mohaleshoek informal settlement, Ikusasa Lethu, F-section informal settlement Ext 3 and Slamdam Elandsridge.
“The VCP concentrated on main routes that are considered hotspots where most hijackings, kidnappings, stock thefts, smuggling illicit goods, and armed robberies are carried out. Such routes included the corner of JB Marx and Elandsrand roads as well as the R500 and R54 roads.”
According to Sibiya, a total of 68 arrests were made during the night where detectives made 30 of the arrests whereas their Visible Policing (Vispol) colleagues made the rest.
“Of the 68 arrests made by Vispol, 20 were for drunken driving, two were drug-related, one for possession of precious metals, and one for dealing in liquor without a license. A further 14 undocumented persons were also arrested. Of the 30 wanted and known suspects that the detectives brought to book, one was for fraud, eight for theft, six for assault GBH, three for common assault, one for common robbery, one for housebreaking and theft, one for arson, two for robbery with a weapon other than a firearm, three for malicious damage to property, one for possession of drugs and two for contravening protection orders.”
The number of fines issued was six to the value of R6 000. One illegal shebeen was also closed.
In addition, numerous items were confiscated including a 9mm Gordan pistol, 17 rounds of ammunition, smoking pipes, mandrax tablets, a sword, 49 490ml of liquor, knobkierries and more.
Kagiso Police Station commander Brigadier Nyelisani Mabatha also thanked everyone for the good successes of the night.
“You have done very well and generated good successes. Continue to do the same at other stations and I thank you all,” she concluded.
All arrested suspects will appear before the Fochville Magistrate’s Court soon facing different charges.
