“We have arrested three Boko Haram bandits for extortion in Mamelodi and we are calling upon the community to come forward with more information regarding any other crimes that may have been committed by these and other members of this criminal gang,” said SAPS Tshwane District Commissioner Major General Thine.
He revealed this development while speaking to Tshwane Talks at a roadblock set up by the police in the Far East of Mamelodi on Solomon Mahlangu Drive on Thursday morning.
The roadblock was part of the SAPS’ crime-fighting initiative known as Operation Shanela.
Major General Thine urged the community to come forward with information and report any other crimes that may have been committed by members of the Boko Haram bandits so that the police would take down the bandits once and for all.
“Boko Haram is the talk of the town and when we launched the Gauteng Provincial cooperation agreement with other law-enforcement agencies, Boko Haram was at the top of the agenda,” said Thine.
“The arrested Boko Haram bandits appeared in court this week and were granted bail, but we can assure the community that we have visible policing and other teams on the ground to make sure that acts of extortion do not happen again,” he said.
“We assure those who will be opening cases against the Boko Haram bandits that their identities will be kept secret and if they feel that they need extra protection then they can come forth and we will put them at a house of safety up until the said cases have been resolved in court,” said Thine.
He explained that as promised during the launch of the Festive Season Safety Campaign at Moretele Park a few weeks ago, the roadblock was part of the said campaign which entails visible policing.
“We started our roadblock operation here in Mamelodi on Wednesday with detective operations whereby 300 suspects were arrested for various crimes including offences against women and children,” he said.
He revealed that the Mamelodi East and West police stations are a top priority provincially and nationally as this was where most criminal cases were opened by members of the community.
“We want to make sure that the community of Mamelodi is safe and through this roadblock we have managed to arrest one suspect regarding possession of an unlicensed firearm, one illegal shebeen has been shut down whereby lots of liquor was confiscated, and three suspects have been arrested for possession of hardcore drugs like heroin and cocaine, and on top of that more than 30 undocumented foreigners were also arrested,” enthused Thine.
“Over 350 people have already been arrested during this roadblock operation from Wednesday until Thursday morning,” he said.
He said most criminal complaints cases that are usually opened by members of the community were related to illegal shebeens, and that illegal shebeens was where most cases of contact crimes like assault take place.
“Murder cases are also rife in Mamelodi but we always manage to arrest suspects regarding these cases,” he said, adding that one of the most wanted criminals in Mamelodi has been arrested for business robbery and murder.
He said yet another most wanted criminal has been arrested this week and will be charged with two counts of murder.
“Street robberies are very rife in Mamelodi whereby in some cases guns are used to mug victims,” said Thine.
He said a toy gun has also been confiscated to ascertain whether it has not been used in committing some crime, because in some instances toy guns are used in cases of armed robbery, and that the use of a toy gun in committing a crime falls under the Dangerous Weapons Act.
“I’m so happy that SAPS are doing their job, and I wish they can do this every day and hey make us feel safe while travelling,” said motorist Atlegang Mokwena.
“I want to see more SAPS on the street every day and I support this operation and I’m happy and I would be happier if the extortion can end in Mamelodi,” said Kholofelo Matlala.