Through its high-density Operation Shanela, the South African Police Service (SAPS) arrested 14 715 suspects between Monday 7 October and Sunday 13 October.
These crime fighting activities include tracking operations, roadblocks, high visibility patrols, stop and searches as well as tracing of wanted suspects.
In the previous week, 2 990 wanted suspects were arrested, including 84 wanted for rape, 30 for murder and 316 for assault.
Other numbers making up the latest Shanela statistics include 1 615 people arrested for assault; 1002 for drug possession; 143 for murder; 112 for attempted murder; 619 for illegally dealing in liquor; 494 for drunk driving; and 112 for illegally possessing firearms. Another 1 778 illegal immigrants were apprehended.
Under recoveries and confiscations, police seized 127 firearms in the past week as well as 2 295 rounds of ammunition. Eighty three hijacked and stolen vehicles were also recovered – 25 more recoveries than the previous week.
The National Commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, applauded the collaboration between SAPS Gauteng counter narcotics intelligence and the Ethiopian Federal Police following the arrest of a 29-year-old South African female drug mule with R5.4 million of cocaine in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Sunday 12 October.
In another joint operation, SAPS, ACSA staff and SARS Customs officials discovered R25 million worth of cocaine in an unaccompanied bag at a carousel at OR Tambo International Airport for a flight from São Paulo; further investigation continues.
A 43-year-old sergeant was arrested in Limpopo last week on allegations of insurance fraud. Investigations point out that the sergeant cashed out about R10 million from funeral, life and accidental policy claims. She is currently linked to six murders.
The National Safer Festive Season campaign was launched in Gauteng on Friday 11 October. The campaign will see more boots on the ground through heightened police visibility focusing on preventing and combating crime and at the same time, countering serious and violent crime to ensure all South African, businesses and visitors to the country are safe and feel safe during the festive season and beyond. The Safer Festive Season campaign will be rolled out in all nine provinces.
