Media Statement from National Media Centre
Corporate Communication
South African Police Service

Pretoria-During a joint operation in the early hours of this morning, the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Covert Crime Intelligence Task team, Vaal Rand Organized Crime Unit, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) made yet another breakthrough to eradicate what is believed to be an organized crime syndicate in our country.

The operation commenced during the early hours of this morning in Thokoza in the East Rand following information gathered on the syndicate for the past three weeks.

Six suspects between the ages of 26 and 39 were arrested and a CZ 75 parrabellum pistol, 12 rounds of ammunition and a PT- 85 Blowback air pistol were found in their possession and seized.

The syndicate consists of South Africans and foreigners living in the areas at Orange Farm, Palm Springs, Everton West and Thokoza in the East Rand, and is involved in house and business robberies.

The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Riah Phiyega congratulated the team on their success, hard work and commitment and added that this breakthrough had to be seen as part of the broader plan to halt crime syndicates in their tracks and bring them to justice.

The cooperation between different disciplines in the SAPS and our counterparts in the Metropolitan Police Department proved to be key in the success of this operation and plays a crucial part in effective policing in our country.

This further underlines our commitment to ensure that people in South Africa are and feel safe, especially as we are progressing toward the festive season.

The public should also join forces with the police and, through initiatives such as Crime Line and Crime Stop, continue to report crime and contribute to achieve greater levels of personal safety.

Four of the suspects are detained at the De Deur Police Station and the other two are detained at the Vereeniging Police Station. They are expected to appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrates’ tomorrow on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Enquiries: Lieutenant General Solomon – 082 781 8863

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