Gauteng Provincial Commissioner of police, Lieutenant General Deliwe de Lange, on Thursday evening led an overnight Operation Buya Mthetho at Vosloorus Hostel in Ekurhuleni West. The hostel is one of various identified crime hotspots.
The integrated and intelligence-driven operation culminated in the arrest of more than 113 suspects, and the recovery of at least 5 firearms of various calibres.
Seventy two (72) of these suspects wanted for serious and violent crimes, were successfully traced and arrested; while four (4) shebeens were closed down for illegal trading, and seven (7) arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Large quantities of drugs including mandrax were seized and twenty six (26) suspects were subsequently arrested for possession of drugs.
“Other than the five firearms recovered, the volume of ammunition recovered from the operation is a clear reflection that there are firearms somewhere in circulation possibly being utilised to commit more serious and violent crimes. So we cannot relax until those firearms are located and confiscated,” said Lieutenant General De Lange in wrapping up the overnight successful Buya Mthetho Operation.
As these joint operations gain momentum towards stamping the authority of the state and reclaiming the streets of Gauteng, Buya Mthetho will continue until crime is brought to its lowest levels, and the inhabitants of the Province are and feel safe all the time.
The arrested suspects will appear in various Magistrate Courts in due course.