PRETORIA – The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Tshwane District is serious about reducing the crime levels in the city through operation O Kae Molao. This week the operations were conducted in the Silverton and the Pretoria Moot policing areas.
On Thursday morning, 22 October 2020, at the crack of dawn, SAPS resources from police stations all over Tshwane and other law enforcement agencies joined forces to make an impact on decreasing crime in Tshwane. These operations took place under the leadership of the Tshwane District Commissioner, Major General Hilda Mohajane and other senior officers within the Tshwane District. As a result, more than 280 suspects were arrested for various offences and more than 117 fines were issued.
The first phase of the operation started the previous evening with raiding of wanted suspects. Detectives arrested 270 suspects of which some were wanted for serious offences which include four for hijacking, two for murder and six for possession of unlicensed firearms. The SAPS intend to continue to gain and maintain strict control over both illegal and legal firearms in Tshwane to decrease the circulation of illegal firearms in communities.
Gender-based violence offences is also a priority for the SAPS and as a result 39 suspects were arrested, 13 for rape and the others for assault and domestic violence.
The SAPS, Gauteng Traffic and Tshwane Metro Police Departments made their presence felt on the corners of Johan Heyns and Booysen Roads in Gezina and in Simon Vermooten Road in Silverton where roadblocks were conducted. More than 370 vehicles and 1 280 persons were searched. A total of 117 fines to the value of R61 670-00 were issued for various traffic offences.
One vehicle was impounded for verification of the engine number as it is suspected that the vehicle was stolen in Botswana. Ten undocumented persons were arrested at the roadblocks and two for drug related offences.
Compliance inspections were conducted at second-hand goods dealerships and liquor premises. One fine and one warning were issued for contravention of the Secondhand Goods Act. One fine for non-compliance of the Liquor Act was issued and one person was arrested for dealing in liquor without a license.
Major General Hilda Mohajane, explained that the meaning of OKae Molao is, “Where is the law?” She said that with today’s operations, law enforcement agencies made their omnipresence felt. The SAPS will continue to claim public spaces back from criminals as the festive season is fast approaching.
Communities are urged to play their role in the creation of a safe and secure environment for themselves and those around them by reporting any suspicious persons, vehicles or circumstances to the police immediately by phoning the 10111 emergency-number. Information with regards to crime can be given to the police anonymously by phoning Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or by using the My SAPS app.
