Gauteng police on Wednesday nabbed 600 people linked to rape, murder, hijacking and robbery cases.
”At least 43 suspects can be linked to outstanding rape cases and 10 hijackings. The rest were arrested for crimes such as murder, armed robbery, attempted murder, drug dealing and other crimes,” said Senior Superintendent Mary Martins-Engelbrecht on Thursday.
”One of the arrested people was linked to three cases of stealing motor vehicles, three cases of housebreaking and one attempted murder committed between March and April in the Vaal area this year.”
Engelbrecht said police also recovered 27 stolen vehicles valued at R2,5-million, a gambling machine, and a press machine used to make Mandrax tablets.
”The estimated value of seized items is R2,8-million, with the recovered Mandrax tablets, computer equipment and two firearms included,” she said.
Engelbrecht said the arrests followed ”operation Galimpuwe” conducted jointly by several units from the Gauteng South African Police Service.
”Several premises were searched and roadblocks were held throughout the province on Wednesday until Thursday afternoon,” she said.
”The aim was to search for wanted suspects in outstanding cases and we plan on having more of these operations to ensure the removal of criminal elements from our society. Five other provinces also conducted similar operations.”
All those arrested will appear in court soon. — Sapa