Police arrested 12 819 suspects between Monday, 14 October, and Sunday, 20 October 2024, during crime fighting activities such as tracking operations, roadblocks, high visibility patrols, stop and searches as well as the tracing of wanted suspects.

These high-density operations, which are led by the Provincial Commissioner of each province, are commonly known as Operation Shanela

During the period 1 969 wanted suspects were arrested of which 126 of these suspects were wanted for rape, 39 for murder and 733 for assault to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH).

A total of 144 suspects were arrested for murder, 45 of these suspects were arrested in Eastern Cape and while in the Western Cape 34 were arrested. Also, 136 suspects were arrested for attempted murder.

A total of 229 suspects were arrested for rape, this was 25 more arrests than the previous week. KwaZulu-Natal saw the majority of these suspects with 108 arrests.

A total of 1 581 suspects were arrested for assault grievous bodily harm during this peri
od, 212 drug dealers were also arrested, 59 more arrests than the previous period.

A total of 1 308 suspects were arrested for being in possession of drugs, 577 of these suspects were arrested in the Western Cape.

Also, 114 suspects were arrested for being in the illegal possession of firearms, 29 of these suspects were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal and 28 in the Western Cape.

A total of 550 suspects were arrested for illegally dealing in liquor, 177 were in KwaZulu-Natal and 148 in Mpumalanga.

A total of 407 drivers were arrested for drunk and driving. The majority of these suspects, 104, were arrested in Gauteng.

The police registered the following successes:

138 firearms were confiscated in the past week.

2 295 rounds of ammunition were confiscated.

57 hijacked and stolen vehicles were also recovered during this week’s operations.

With regards to major takedowns and other successes, two more suspects who are related to Sergeant Rachel Shokane Kutumela have been arrested for their role in the six insur
ance murders case.

The police said the pair were arrested by the SAPS Limpopo tracking team in Mabokelele village on 17 October 2024 and have already made their first appearance in court.

‘The SAPS believes it recovered four high calibre firearms used in the commission of the crime that led to the killing of the 18 Lusikisiki victims.

‘Through intelligence and meticulous detective work, these firearms were recovered on 17 October 2024. Two suspects were arrested after they were found in possession of these firearms,’ said the police.

Police intercepted 10 kilograms of rhino horn pieces at OR Tambo International Airport at the cargo shipment warehouse area. These rhino horn pieces were destined for China, no arrests have been made yet and investigations are still underway.

The police said they would continue with their operations by asserting the authority of the state to ensure the safety and security of all South Africans and visitors to the country.

Source: South African Government News Agency