SAPS: Over 244k arrests during festive season
The South African Police Service has wrapped up its festive season operations, which resulting in 244,951 arrests between October 2024 and January 2025.
The operation targeted serious and violent crimes, yielding 4,501 murder-related arrests, 3,983 rape suspects taken into custody, and 27,640 assault cases addressed.
National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola briefed the media on Sunday.
“Our men and women in blue have worked tirelessly to ensure that everyone in the country is and feels safe,” he said.
-Major Crime Busts-
1,952 suspects were caught with illegal firearms.
4,675 drug dealers were arrested.
9,540 drunk drivers were taken off the roads.
25,950 illegal immigrants were detained.
-Seizures & Recoveries-
SAPS confiscated 2,198 illegal firearms, 37,658 rounds of ammunition, and R4 million in cash. They also recovered 960 stolen vehicles and shut down 6,547 illegal liquor outlets.
“The majority of firearms seized where confiscated in Kwazulu-Natal, Gauteng, Eastern Cape and the Western Cape,” said Masemola.
“Firearms remain a big problem in South Africa as most serious and violent crimes including murders were committed with the use of a firearm.”
-Criminal Convictions-
From October to December 2024, 9,908 criminals were convicted, including 603 sentenced to life imprisonment. A total of 685 gender-based violence offenders were jailed, with 110 receiving life sentences.
“Our men and women in blue remain relentless in tracking, tracing, apprehending and prosecuting GBVF perpetrators,” said Masemola.
“Between October 2024 and December 2024, a total of 685 GBVF perpetrators were convicted to time in prison.”
-Boosting the Police Force-
With 2,699 new officers deployed in December and 5,500 trainees starting this week, Masemola said SAPS aims to increase police visibility.
“We were able to heighten police visibility and boost our crime combatting efforts at areas identified as hotspots across the country including malls, beaches and along our country’s key strategic routes.”
-Crackdown on Illegal Mining-
Through Operation Vala Umgodi police arrested 18,000 illegal miners, seized R32 million worth of uncut diamonds, and confiscated 283 trucks and 84 heavy machines.
“More than 1700 illegal miners that were arrested from August 2024 in Stilfontein are still in police custody. 121 have already been deported which include 80 Mozambicans, 30 Basotho nationals, 10 Zimbabweans as well as one Congolese and Malawian,” the country’s top cop revealed.
-Honouring Fallen Officers-
The festive period saw the loss of 21 police officers.
Masemola said 30 suspects were arrested, with seven convicted to life in prison.
“What is encouraging to note is that we have categorised the killing of police officers as a national priority offence which is investigated by the DPCI, also known as the Hawks.”
The police commissioner said law enforcement remains committed to high-density operations, stronger intelligence units, advanced technology, and community partnerships.
“We are also working on enhancing our detective capacity to ensure we recruit more detectives to solve cases.
“We aim to strengthen our community police relations to ensure increased cooperation,” added Masemola.
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