Following the gruesome discovery of bodies in an open veld next to the N1 freeway in Bosmont and New Canada, a team of law-enforcement officers were briefed at the Unisa Florida Campus on Thursday morning, 15 September.
The briefing took place ahead of an Operation Okae Molao to address the crime situation in Florida and how the forces involved in operation could help to reduce crime in the area.
Gauteng Provincial Police commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela was joined by senior management of the police and other law-enforcement agencies as he led the multi-disciplinary operation in Florida on the same day, aimed at stamping the authority of the state and assisting the local police station to reduce crime.
Mawela together with the Provincial Police deputy commissioner Major General Tommy Mthombeni and Johannesburg District Police commissioner Major General Max Masha led the operation in Florida from the front.
More than 60 people were arrested for crimes that include possession of drugs, selling liquor without a licence, and undocumented persons who are suspected to be illegal miners.
The team that was joined by Florida CPF chairperson Farhaad Sardiwalla and Florida police station’s Colonel Amos Tsotetsi seized equipment and tools used for illegal mining.
“It is very important for the community to know that these operations focused on zama zamas are being conducted on a regular basis, and as the CPF of the area we are part of these operations. It was a successful operation as we were able to combat some issues and made a lot of arrests. We anticipate more of these operations and I need the community to be aware that they are conducted almost on a daily basis,” said Sardiwalla.
According to Ward 70 councillor Caleb Finn, the Florida, Fleurhof and surrounding communities have seen a steady rise in crime and without urgent and co-ordinated intervention he feared that the situation would continue to worsen.
“The Okae Molao operation taking place today is welcomed; I am grateful for the support provided by the district and province. I appeal to the police to maintain the deployment of additional manpower to the Florida policing precinct so as to ensure that all criminality is dealt with, not only the issue of illegal mining,” said Finn.
