Integrated forces of Operation O Kae Molao led by Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela intercepted and pounced on armed suspects who were allegedly enroute to commit a business robbery at one of the chain stores in Johannesburg. The four suspects aged between 31 and 44, were arrested in Hillbrow on the evening of Saturday, 14 May 2022. They were found in possession of three unlicensed firearms, ammunition and suspected stolen vehicles. Members of crime intelligence received information about a gang that was to commit a business robbery at one of the chain stores in Johannesburg. Information was operationalised and members from different units of SAPS and other law enforcement agencies kept close observation until they spotted two cars that matched the description given.
Upon searching the occupants on both vehicles, it was discovered they were armed with different kinds of pistols and live rounds ammunition. All suspects were arrested for conspiracy to commit business robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
In a separate incident on Saturday the 14 May 2022, police arrested three suspects in Soweto after they were found with an AK-47 rifle with 16 rounds of ammunition and an Audi that was reported to be hijacked in Ekurhuleni. The suspects, who are reported to be undocumented foreign nationals, are suspected to be behind cross pavement robberies in Gauteng and neighbouring provinces.
Members of Highway Patrol Unit acted on crime intelligence information and stopped a car with three occupants suspected to be responsible for serious and violent crimes. The suspects ignored the police and a high speed chase ensued until the suspects were cornered at Chris Hani road in Diepkloof. Upon searching the suspects and the vehicle, police found an AK-47 rifle loaded with ammunition. Preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle driven by the suspects was hijacked in Primrose, Ekurhuleni.
Meanwhile, over one thousand nine hundred and seventy (1970) other suspects were arrested for various crimes across the province during Operation O Kae Molao. Twenty-five of these suspects were arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol in Hillbrow and other 28 were arrested in other districts within the province.
More than 200 suspects were arrested by the detectives when they were tracing people that have been on the run after committing crime
Some of the suspects already paid admission of guilty and released while others are expected to appear at different Magistrate Courts from Monday, 16 May 2022.
Source: South African Police Service