Operation O Kae Molao continues to yield positive successes in the fight against crime in Gauteng Province. This renowned operation is a weekly operation conducted simultaneously throughout the five districts in the province.

It is an integrated Operation between SAPS and other law enforcement agencies such as Metro Police Department, Department of Traffic, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Correctional Service, Department of Community Safety, Community Police Forum and private security companies through the Eyes and Ears (E2) project.

This weekend was no different, as the Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Gauteng Lt Gen Elias Mawela was joined by the MEC for Community Safety, Ms Faith Mazibuko and Divisional Commissioner: Detectives and Forensic Services, Lt Gen Khosi Senthumule as he led the team in Johannesburg District that was operating in Sophiatown and Langlaagte policing precinct.

The first phase of the operation which is the tracing of wanted suspects by the detectives, resulted in the arrests of about 700 suspects wanted for serious and violence crimes including gender based violence.

The second phase of the operation is inclusive of different crime prevention activities such as roadblocks, Vehicle Check Points, stop and searches, foot patrols and compliance inspection at second hand dealers and liquor outlets.

During the operation people were arrested for various crimes such as possession of drugs, possession of stolen property, drunk and driving, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and contravention of the Immigration Act.

On Saturday evening at Sophiatown, a man was stopped at a roadblock and arrested after he was found in possession of a stolen motorbike.

Furthermore, the operation resulted in seizures of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, drugs, illegal cigarettes, closure of unlisenced liquor outlets, dangerous weapons and illegal mining equipment.

The Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Elias Mawela expressed his appreciation to all the law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders for their continuous support and zeal that produce success every weekend. He also thanked the community members for the assistance in the fight against crime because most of the arrests are as a result of intelligence information provided by them.

Some of the suspects were released after paying fines, while others are expected to appear at different courts starting from Monday, 29 May 2023.

Any criminal activities can be reported anonymously on the Crime Stop Line at 08600 10111 or on MySapsApp which can be downloaded on any smartphone. All information received will be treated with strictest confidence.

Source: South African Police Service