A co-ordinated effort by the South African Police Service in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has yielded 313 illegal firearms and the arrest of 11 003 suspects for various crimes in the month of July.
KwaZulu-Natal has continued the battle against violent crimes, particularly those where firearms are used, the SA Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement. The recovered firearms include 260 pistols, 19 rifles and 18 homemade firearms. Almost 5 000 rounds of ammunition of various calibre of firearms were also recovered.
The high prevalence of firearms in criminal hands in KZN can be seen from ongoing shootouts between police and criminals, with more than 30 suspected criminals killed by police in the last month.
During July operations, KZN police apprehended 3 509 suspects for contact crimes, including 191 suspects for murder, 200 suspects wanted for attempted murder, 55 suspected of house robbery, 45 business robbery suspects and 204 rape suspects.
Cases of assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, which often occurs after the consumption of alcohol, continues to be a cause for concern with 1 740 suspects arrested for the crime in the month of July. In efforts to reduce the numbers of assaults where alcohol is the main factor, police arrested 548 people for the illegal sale of liquor.
A further 281 suspects were arrested for burglary at residential premises, with 47 suspects apprehended in connection with cases of stock theft. Police visibility on the roads along with targeted roadblocks and stop and search operations resulted in the arrest of 404 suspects for driving under the influence of alcohol. An additional 1 618 suspects were apprehended for drug-related offences, the SAPS reported.
Police also apprehended 188 suspects for acts of domestic violence, and 41 suspects were arrested for kidnapping. Police seized various dangerous weapons, notably 499 knives, part of a total of 567 dangerous weapons recovered during operations.
Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi called for police officers to focus on their responsibilities, “towards creating a safe and secure environment for all residents and visitors in KwaZulu-Natal.” The Provincial Commissioner noted policing “will always spark debates” but stated officers should not “loosen the grip on the fight against crime.”
“Do not be discouraged by self-proclaimed experts or analysts who find relevance only when they speak bad about the police. Such people have never experienced the dangers on the streets that you patrol on a 24-hour basis. I urge you to ignore the noise and execute your constitutional mandate with professionalism. Criminals who challenge the authority of the state by shooting at police officers should be made to feel the wrath of the law, all within the confines of the Constitution,” said Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi in response to concerns and criticism over the growing number of criminals killed by police in the province.
Anti-crime operations, meanwhile, continue elsewhere across South Africa, with the SAPS on Monday 5 August saying that Operation Shanela activities netted 13 996 suspects nationally last week as police take a “bold and decisive approach” in protecting the communities that they serve.
A total of 158 firearms were confiscated along with 1 448 rounds of ammunition and 74 hijacked and stolen vehicles were recovered during the week’s operations.
“Two kidnappers were arrested and 90 undocumented Ethiopian nationals were rescued from a suspected human trafficking ring in Johannesburg,” the SAPS said.
“The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, the Hawks, in the Eastern Cape shot and killed five cash-in-transit [heist] suspects, while three suspects were arrested during a tracing operation.
“R300 million worth of drugs suspected to be crystal meth were seized in Fourways, Johannesburg. In the same operation, a kidnapped businessman was rescued and eight kidnappers were arrested.
“Counterfeit goods worth R7 million were seized in Fordsburg and Dragon City in Johannesburg.”
The SAPS said police would continue with their operations and stamp the authority of the State to ensure the safety and security of all people living in South Africa.
