KEY POINTS
- Gauteng law enforcement arrested 283 suspects during a weekend operation, targeting offences such as drunk driving, drug possession, and illegal mining.
- The operation involved searches of over 1,300 people and 600 vehicles across Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, and other districts.
- Authorities emphasized the need for sustained efforts to combat festive season crime surges, with plans to expand operations province-wide.
In a sweeping weekend operation, Gauteng law enforcement agencies arrested 283 suspects for a range of offences, including drunk driving, drug possession, illegal mining, and business robbery.
The coordinated effort, which involved the Gauteng Traffic Police (GTP), SAPS, and municipal traffic wardens, targeted crime hotspots across the province, resulting in significant arrests and vehicle searches.
The City of Johannesburg led the charge, searching 750 people and 255 vehicles. Ekurhuleni officials searched 309 vehicles and made 83 arrests, while Tshwane arrested 79 individuals for offences such as negligent driving.
Sowetanlive reports that the West Rand and Sedibeng district municipalities also contributed to the operation, arresting 53 and 48 suspects respectively.
GTP spokesperson Sello Maremane praised the operation, stating, “Crime patterns such as drunk driving, public drinking, domestic violence, and drug dealing tend to increase during this time of year, hence it is crucial for law enforcement officials to collaborate and prevent these incidents.” He emphasized that the operations would continue to ensure public safety and curb lawlessness.
Festive season crime surge
The weekend blitz is part of Gauteng’s integrated crime prevention plan, aimed at dismantling criminal networks and reclaiming communities from rising crime rates. The festive season often sees a spike in alcohol-related offences and violent crimes, prompting authorities to ramp up efforts.
This operation follows similar successes in recent months. In December 2024, Gauteng police arrested 293 suspects during safer festive season operations for crimes including murder, rape, and sexual assault. Meanwhile, Mpumalanga reported over 500 arrests for suspected drunk driving during the same period.
