About 1170 suspects had been arrested by police during operations conducted across all five districts in Gauteng this Easter weekend. Among those arrested is the owner of liquor outlet who was charged with contravention of level one lockdown regulations in Muldersdrift West Rand, Video Informal Settlement. Gauteng Police Captain, Kay Makhubelaconfirmed this on Tuesday.
The owner was arrested on Saturday, 03 April 2021 at about 04:00 during O Kae Molao Operations that were conducted in Orlando and Diepkloof, Soweto. The operation was led by Gauteng Police Acting Commissioner Major General Tommy Mthombeni and Johannesburg District Commissioner Major General Max Masha.
The two district Commissioners were joined by MEC for Community Safety Faith Mazibuko, which has led arrest ofnineteen drunk and driving suspects. The suspects were arrestedat N17 road block and the police impounded a suspected stolen vehicle. Meanwhile while detectives arrested over 80 suspects, wanted for various serious and violent crimes.
Makhubela said over 500 suspects were arrested in Tshwane, during the operation and among the arrested suspects were those who were found drunk and driving.
“A number of illegal liquor outlets were closed and liquor confiscated and another team pounced on a workshop in Johannesburg CBD. A counterfeit goods with an estimated value of R5.2 million were seized and over 150 suspects arrested,” he said.
Meanwhile over 390 suspects were nabbed in Ekurhuleni District by integrated law enforcement agencies for various offences that include driving while under the influence of alcohol. A total of twelve firearms were recovered during the operations and the firearms will be subjected to ballistic testing to establish possible linkage to other crimes.
He stated that all the arrested suspects are due make their first appearance in various courts.
“The arrested suspects are expected to appear before the various respective courts across Gauteng Province in due course.”
