In March alone, more than 9500 suspects were arrested for various crimes in KwaZulu-Natal.
KwaZulu-Natal police said 9522 suspects and 258 firearms, including 17 rifles, were recovered, during Operation Shanela and other targeted operations last month.
“One hundred and sixty-seven suspected murderers and 137 attempted murder suspects were among the 3 156 suspects who were arrested for contact crimes. One hundred and forty-eight suspects were put behind bars in connection with cases of robbery, inclusive of house robbery, business robbery, robbery with aggravating circumstances and carjacking,” said provincial police spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda.
Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit detectives arrested 243 suspected rapists.
“Still on contact crimes, 42 suspects were arrested for sexual assault, 1 535 more suspects were nabbed for allegedly assaulting others with an intent to cause grievous bodily harm,” said Netshiunda.
He said 230 suspects were cornered and brought to book for burglaries at residential premises. “Sixty-five suspects were arrested for business burglaries and 30 more suspects were busted for their alleged involvement in cases of stock theft. Thirty-two suspects saw their reign of terror brought to an abrupt halt when they were arrested for a string of theft of motor vehicles as well as theft from motor vehicles.”
“The fight against the proliferation of drugs and the abuse of liquor was intensified and during the operations, 1 380 suspects were arrested for drug-related crimes. Four hundred and forty-five people were arrested for illegal dealing in liquor, 426 people were also arrested for driving under the influence of liquor and a further 73 people were nabbed for drinking in a public place,” said Netshiunda.
He said police recovered almost 3000 rounds of ammunition of various calibre of firearms.
“Four hundred and sixty-three knives and 22 machetes were also recovered during the province-wide operations.”
KwaZulu-Natal Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC Sipho Hlomuka commended police.
“We commend the work of our law enforcement officers to protect the people of our province from criminal elements. We also appeal to community members to continue to assist police with intelligence information. Government and police cannot win the war against crime without the active involvement of our communities.”