A three thousand rand bribe could not prevent police in Germiston to arrest two of the sixteen suspects for possession of stolen goods worth thousands of rands, precious metals and an unlicensed firearm. Other suspects were arrested for possession of crayfish and fourteen illegal firearms and ammunition in areas of Ekurhuleni, West Rand, Sedibeng and Soweto over the weekend operations. One of these suspects was also fatally shot in Moroka when he pointed police with a firearm. The suspects are due to appear at the various Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 29 April 2019.
Attempted acts of bribery happened when police acted on information and raided premises at Railway Street, Germiston. While searching the premises where they seized suspected stolen boxes of cigarettes, bag of precious metals, R100 000 in cash and an unlicensed 9mm pistol, the occupants of the premises offered them a R3000 bribe. They refused to take the money and arrested the suspects who will be charged with possession of suspected stolen goods, dealing in precious metals without any licence, possession of an unlicensed firearm and bribery.
Further investigations are also continuing to establish the legality of both suspects in the country. The Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has commended the members, who refused to take a bribe, for their commitment and integrity in rendering a responsible service to address criminality in Gauteng.
In Cleveland area, police on routine patrol in Derick Street, seized crayfish worth more than R5000. The crayfish were suspected to have been brought into the country from Mozambique and two suspects were arrested for selling endangered species. Other twelve suspects were also arrested during the weekend when they were found in possession of unlicensed firearms in areas that includes Diepkloof, Orange Farms, Moroka, Meyerton, Dobsonville, Krugersdorp and Rietgat. The suspects are due to appear at the various Magistrates’ Courts on Monday, 29 April 2019.
In Mamelodi, a response and combat team recovered two hijacked vehicles, a Toyota and VW Golf, and arrested three suspects for robbery and possession of drugs. One of the suspects arrested for robbery was pointed out by the victim at the local taxi rank. The vehicles have been impounded for further investigations. Visibility of these teams and co-operation with the community has led to the arrest of several criminals involved with serious and violent crimes as well as drug traffickers in Mamelodi.
