The Gauteng Traffic Police (GTP) have arrested 107 suspects and recovered 57 hijacked vehicles during a series of crime-fighting operations conducted across the province over the past two months.
The operations, carried out in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, targeted a range of offences including armed robbery, housebreaking, fraud and illegal mining activities.
According to the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, 15 suspects were arrested in the City of Tshwane on charges including assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), armed robbery, housebreaking and possession of dagga.
A further 41 suspects were arrested in the City of Ekurhuleni and the Sedibeng District Municipality, while 45 arrests were made in the City of Johannesburg.
Gauteng Department of Community Safety spokesperson Ofentse Morwane praised the efforts of officers involved in the operations.
"The Gauteng Department of Community Safety commends the Gauteng Traffic Police for their coordinated efforts in arresting 107 suspects and recovering 57 stolen and hijacked vehicles during the different operations conducted across the province," Morwane said.
He said the suspects face charges including armed robbery, housebreaking, fraud and possession of illegal mining equipment.
"We will continue to intensify our operations in communities to deal with lawlessness and criminality," Morwane added.
In a separate operation on Wednesday, more than 200 suspected illegal miners were arrested at the Losberg Kloof Mine in Westonaria on Gauteng's West Rand. The suspects were detained for alleged illegal mining-related offences as authorities continue their crackdown on illicit mining activities across the province.