Pretoria: Police operations have led to the arrest of 18,232 individuals and the seizure of 206 unlicensed firearms during intensified nationwide crime-combatting efforts under Operation Shanela II.
According to South African Government News Agency, last week’s operations saw the South African Police Service (SAPS) conducting 6,416 liquor inspections across the country, resulting in the closure of 443 unlicensed liquor premises. In a statement, the police said the majority of these liquor outlets were closed by police in KwaZulu-Natal.
Further details from the operations reveal that 954 individuals were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Of the total arrests, 2,701 were wanted suspects linked to serious and violent crimes, including murder, attempted murder, rape, vehicle hijackings, armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms.
A total of 153 suspects were arrested for murder, with the majority arrested in the Free State (31), followed by the Eastern Cape (29) and Gauteng. An additional 127 people were arrested for attempted murder. Additionally, 166 people were arrested for the possession of illegal firearms, while 269 others were arrested for dealing in drugs, among other offenses.
In addition to the 206 unlicensed firearms, 2,488 rounds of ammunition were seized, and 74 stolen and hijacked vehicles were recovered.