By Doreen Mokgolo
Gauteng provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, says they are concerned about landlords who rent to illegal immigrants.
Police have confirmed that Phethe Sara Simiao, the man accused of raping and killing six-year-old Amantle Semane, was in South Africa illegally.
“According to his passport, the suspect entered the country in April 2022. He moved back home in the same year but, based on the passport, he never came back to South Africa,” Mthombeni said at a media briefing on Thursday.
“I am concerned about South African landlords who are renting their properties to undocumented foreign nationals. We have opened a case against the landlord to address the issue of harbouring the suspect.”
Mthombeni was giving an update on Operation Restore in areas like Westbury, Eldorado Park, Booysen, Langlaagte, Riverlea Park, Reiger Park, Orlando Noordgesig, and Mohlakeng-Toekomsrus, as well as Operation Vala Umgodi in Eldorado Park.
He said 65 murders were recorded in gang areas between March and September.
The operations target gang violence, murders, shootings, illegal guns and drugs.
“A total of 1,587 cases were reported: 65 for murder, 87 for attempted murder, 214 for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, and 1,221 for dealing and possession of drugs.”
Police also arrested 4,796 illegal miners, including 3,657 illegal immigrants. They seized 104 unlicensed guns, 2,011 bullets, 1,154 explosives, and 1,320 kg of gold-bearing material.
But Eldorado Park community leader Charis Pretorius says things have not improved.
“The streets are the same; crime is prevalent in the area. We are still burying young men every weekend.
“We have been allocated three new police cars to cover Slovo Park, Freedom Park, and Eldorado Park, but that is not enough,” she said.
Pictured above: SAPS Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni.
Source: Supplied
