The South African Police Service announced that over 1200 suspects were arrested during the Operation O Kae Molao in Gauteng over the weekend led by the Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, in a media statement by the SAPS provincial commissioner’s office  on Sunday, 17 October 2021.

The SAPS revealed that Gauteng Police joined by private security companies and other law enforcement agencies were dispatched to the streets of Olievenhoutbosch in Tshwane on Saturday evening in response to complaints made by community members in the area during the recent ministerial imbizo, with other ‘O Kae Molao’ operations taking place across the Gauteng province.

“The operation which included roadblocks, raiding of illegal liquor outlets, stop and searches resulted in the arrest of more than 300 suspects in Tshwane,” The SAPS announced in the statement.

“Suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from theft of motor vehicle, possession of car breaking implements, truck hijacking, possession of illegal firearms and ammunition, possession of drugs, common robbery, undocumented persons, malicious damage to property, driving while under the influence of alcohol, Contravention of Disaster Management Act and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The team also seized dagga and cars impounded after they were found with engines that are tempered with,” added the SAPS.

The SAPS further announced that the operation resulted in 430 arrests in Ekurhuleni, a total of 235 arrests in Johannesburg, Joint intelligence-driven operations in the West Rand resulted in over 140 arrests, and 95 arrests in Sedibeng for various crimes such as Rape, murder, GBV, theft, drunk driving, possession of drugs, robbery, reckless and negligent driving, defeating the ends of justice, etc. The South African Police Service also announced that the arrested suspects will appear in various magistrate courts in due course.