Over 400 suspects arrested during Operation Okae Molao

The suspects were arrested during Operation Okae Molao on Wednesday night and Thursday morning for criminal activities; linking them to rape, murder, assault, house breaking and car hijackings around Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng and the West Rand.

One hundred and sixty-eight suspects were arrested in Ekurhuleni with five of the suspects wanted for murder in Kwa-Zulu Natal, 107 arrested in Tshwane, 105 in Johannesburg, 46 in Sedibeng and 44 suspects arrested in the West Rand for rape, murder, assault and house breaking.

Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela led the successful operation that comprised of various law-enforcement agencies around all the five regions in the province.

“I would like to applaud the police for apprehending these criminals that have been terrorising our communities and for restoring law and order in our streets. We will continue to work hard to rid our society of crime and build safer communities,” said Premier Makhura.

Law-enforcement agencies in Gauteng under the leadership of MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko are conducting impromptu anti-crime operations every day to curb criminal activities in the province.

Premier Makhura joined Operation Okae Molao this morning in Tembisa and assured law-abiding citizens that the provincial government is turning the tide on crime.

The operation forms part of the commitment made by the Premier during the State of the Province Address to strengthen specialised units on priority crimes – gender-based violence, car hijackings, house and business robberies, drugs and murder.