50k suspects arrested over festive season – SAPS
The police have arrested 50,000 suspects for various crimes since the beginning of safer festive season operations on 17 December.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed this in a statement released on Monday evening.
According to Mathe, suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from murder and attempted murder, rape, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, undocumented nationals, dealing in drugs, Illegal dealing in liquor, assault GBH, assault common, possession of drugs, Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
According to the stats, more than 3330 roadblocks and Vehicle Check Points working jointly with local, provincial and national traffic police and the Department of Health were conducted.
"The focus remains on tracing wanted suspects, detecting illegal and unwanted firearms as well as drugs and illicit goods, drunken driving suspects, stolen and hijacked vehicles.
“Roadblocks, stops and searches, as well as vehicle checkpoints on major routes, will remain in place.
“During the same period, 267 illegal and unwanted firearms were confiscated, and 197 stolen and hijacked vehicles were recovered," says Mathe.
The data also shows that the total of those arrested since the launch of Operation Shanela in May 2023 has risen to 314,728.
SEE FULL STATS BELOW:
