Operation Okae Molao focuses on crime prevention in Orchards

Norwood police were joined by Metro police and a number of other stations which form part of the former Joburg East Cluster for operation Okae Molao on 11 March.

Station Commander for Norwood Police Station Colonel Phetole Mahasha said the purpose of the operation was to focus on crime prevention in the area.

The Gazette met officers at a roadblock at the corner of Louis Botha Avenue and Garden Road in Orchards in the early morning where police were observed conducting checks on motorists.

“Our focus is on detecting stolen goods, illegal drugs and firearms. We are also checking motorists and taxis for Disaster Management Act compliance. We haven’t had any arrests so far, but have issued a few traffic fines,” said Mahasha.

“We want the community to work with us and be our eyes and ears and give us information regarding any criminal activities. We promise to keep their identity confidential. We also want to encourage residents to stay away from criminal activities.”

He added that police members began the day with a parade at Mary Fitzgerald Square at 5.30am before splitting into two groups. The first group went to liquor outlets to assess compliance while the second group was deployed to concentrate on drug hotspots.

Norwood Community Policing Forum chair Colin Wasserfall said he was pleased to observe a friendly, thorough police force on patrol.

“We as a community would like to see this happening more often, but it is so good to see the police out on the street. It’s a tough job that they do which is greatly appreciated by the community,” added Wasserfall.

He urged Norwood residents to refrain from giving money to displaced persons at robots in the area, rather encouraging them to support NGOs and shelters that assisted these people.

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