Pretoria - Johannesburg police seized goods worth more than R8 million and arrested 95 suspects in a massive crime prevention operation at the weekend.
Operation Mayibuye, carried out by members of the SAPS, Johannesburg Metro Police, the Department of Community Safety, Home Affairs officials and the South African Revenue Service netted suspected car thieves, illegal security guards and building hijackers.
During the operation, 590 cell phones, 1 000 fake DVDs and R7 million worth of counterfeit goods, including clothing and shoes, were seized from illegal traders and street vendors, police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini, said.
Eighteen illegal liquor outlets were closed, with the liquor and equipment confiscated; 14 people were also arrested for illegally operating as security guards.
Searches carried out at taxi ranks and the city surroundings resulted in 60 taxis being impounded, as well as the seizure of 12 firearms, 40 cocaine rocks, 12g of heroine and five stolen vehicles.
A member of the South African National Defence Force was among three suspects arrested for theft of cars, said Dlamini.
In addition, 29 people were arrested for building hijackings, and 49 more for various crimes. They are expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court today.
Operation Mayibuye is aimed at cleaning up the City of Johannesburg and targets serious crimes, by-law enforcement, hijacked buildings, liquor outlets, illegal trading, second hand goods, illegal security industries, counterfeit goods, littering and cleanliness.
More than 1 000 members from the various departments were involved in the operation. - BuaNews
