More than 1 300 people were arrested in several crime prevention operations across Gauteng province over the weekend.

The 1 373 arrests included some criminals on the police’s list of wanted suspects.

In Pretoria, Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela led a multi-disciplinary operation on Saturday, 25 September 2021. It included roadblocks, stop and search operations, foot patrols, tracing of wanted suspects, compliance inspections at second-hand goods dealers, and raids at illegal liquor outlets. The operation resulted in 355 arrests in the district.

“Suspects were arrested for offenses ranging from possession of stolen and hijacked vehicles, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, house robbery, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, selling alcohol without valid documents, contravention of Disaster Management Act regulations, common assault, malicious damage to property, violation of protection orders, possession of dagga, possession of drugs, public violence, driving while under the influence of alcohol, armed robbery and the pointing of firearms,” said police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo.

Meanwhile, police operations saw 535 people arrested in the City of Ekurhuleni, 161 on the West Rand, 218 in Johannesburg, and 104 in Sedibeng.

“These suspects were arrested for contravention of Disaster Management Act regulations and other crimes that included driving while under the influence of alcohol, murder, attempted murder, rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of unlicensed firearms, intimidation and possession of drugs,” said Masondo.