The South African Police Service in Gauteng have launched a search for the owner of an Ivory Park chop-shop from which a multi-disciplinary team of law enforcement officers seized eight suspected stolen trailers, vehicle parts linked to at least 15 cases of hijacking and/or theft, some dating as far back as December 2016, and a Toyota Venture whose engine was found to have been tampered with. One suspect was arrested during the joint intelligence-led raid at the premises in Ivory Park on Friday 18 December 2020.
This was one of several highlights over the weekend after Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele, Deputy Minister of Police, Mr Cassel Mathale, the Acting National Commissioner of the SAPS, Lieutenant General Sindile Mfazi, and Deputy National Commissioner for Policing, Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola visited Gauteng Province on the same day to assess the effectiveness of Safer Festive Season plans put in place towards tightening the grip on crime over the holiday season.
Rounding up the weekend safer festive season operations this weekend, Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, joined by the MEC for Community Safety, Ms Faith Mazibuko took to the streets of Soweto on Saturday evening, 19 December 2020 through to the early hours of the next morning, also to assess the levels of adherence to and ensure compliance with the COVID-19 Level 1 newly tightened restrictions.
A total of nine hundred and seventy-six (976) suspects were nabbed in operations conducted across all districts over the weekend.
In Johannesburg District, one hundred and eighteen (118) people were arrested. Out of these arrests, fifty-two (52) were found driving while under the influence of alcohol. Two popular Soweto liquor outlets were closed down and liquor confiscated for contravening lockdown regulations. Other suspects were arrested for crimes ranging possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession of drugs, illegal gambling, assault, attempted theft of motor vehicle, theft, reckless and negligent driving.
West Rand District embarked on various operations over the weekend and saw more than one hundred and eighty-four (184) people arrested. A 47-year-old magistrate is among twenty (20) people arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol in Kagiso. Other suspects were arrested for crime ranging from possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, car hijacking, murder, robbery, rape and assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Over four hundred (400) people were arrested by the police in Tshwane as the police engaged in tracing of wanted suspects, raiding of liquor outlets, roadblocks as well as stop and searches. Suspects, aged between 20 and 55 were arrested on charges that include murder, rape, burglary business, assault intent to cause grievous bodily harm, robbery, possession of drugs, possession of stolen property , possession of dagga, driving while under the influence of alcohol and drinking liquor in public. Stolen motor vehicles and unlicensed firearms were recovered during these operations while fifteen (15) illegal liquor outlets were closed down.
Police in Sedibeng District arrested sixty-nine (69) suspects for different crimes as they were ensuring that people in this district are and feel safe during this festive season. Multidisciplinary operations also ensured that people are adhering to lockdown regulations. Those arrested were found to have committed offences that include murder, driving while under the influence of alcohol, theft, shoplifting and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Two hundred and sixty-nine (269) suspects were arrested in Ekurhuleni crimes that include assault, business robbery, business breaking, possession and dealing in drugs, murder, attempted murder and driving while under the influence of alcohol.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Mawela has expressed concern about people who continue to undermine the lockdown regulations as more people were found at the packed liquor outlets without wearing masks and observing social distancing. In Naledi, Soweto, people gathered at “a street bash” at 01h30, way after the curfew time.
“We will continue to intensify our operations throughout the duration of the festive season to ensure that people are safe and to enforce compliance with regulations. Police visibility will be intensified at the taxi ranks, bus terminals, national roads and other port of entries as more people are expected to leave Gauteng this coming week,” said Lieutenant General Mawela.
#SaferFestiveSeason Operations gain momentum https://t.co/tzer4fPeKj#ArriveAlive #Operations @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/h8dr0dy05C
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) December 21, 2020
