PARKTOWN – More than 330 people were arrested and five unlicensed firearms recovered as Gauteng Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Tommy Mthombeni led a multidisciplinary and integrated operation to hunt for the suspects who are responsible for the recent murders in Atteridgeville and to bring stability to the area.
More than six people were murdered in Atteridgeville in the past two weeks which raised concerns to both the national and provincial police management. In response to these killings, an intelligence-driven operation was launched to trace and arrest the perpetrators.
Police’s Crime Intelligence started to move into the area on Wednesday 04 August 2021 where they identified a gang responsible for stealing cars. The team that included Crime Intelligence, Multi-Dimensional Organised Crime Unit, Tracker Connect, and Gauteng Traffic Police pounced on the suspects’ houses in Atteridgeville and Soshanguve Tshwane, where they arrested two suspects that were found with a Nissan Almera that was reported stolen in Bronkhorstspruit and Nissan NP200 that was reported stolen in Pretoria Central.
On Friday 06th August 2021 at about 18h00, an intelligence-driven operation was conducted through the assistance of Tshwane Tracing Team and Taxi Violence Team from the Provincial Office following information gathered on suspects involved in the taxi killings around Atteridgeville and Lotus Gardens. During the operation, the team stormed into a house in Pretoria West and arrested four suspects, aged between 22 and 32, who were found in possession of five unlicensed firearms, ammunition, and two vehicles that were reported stolen in Wierdabrug, Tshwane, and Lenasia, south of Johannesburg.
On the evening of Friday 06 August, 2021 and the early hours of Saturday 07 August 2021 Major General Mthombeni led the multidisciplinary operation where roadblocks were held on all main roads that enters and exits Atteridgeville. The team also cordoned and searched the local hostel. It is during this operation where more than 330 people were arrested for crimes ranging from possession of unlicensed firearms, possession of drugs, driving while under the influence of alcohol, contravention of the National Disaster Management Act, and illegal immigrants.
The arrested suspects will appear at Atteridgeville Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 10 August 2021.
