SAPS arrests over 16,000 suspects in a week-long festive season crackdown
War on crime intensifies:165 murder suspects nabbed as police flood streets nationwide.
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South African police arrested more than 16,000 suspects nationwide in a single week as part of intensified festive season operations aimed at curbing violent crime, illegal firearms and alcohol-related offences, Saps spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said.
Between December 22 and 28, a total of 16,692 suspects were arrested across the country during operations conducted under the Safer Festive Season campaign, running concurrently with Operation Shanela II.
The arrests included suspects linked to murder, rape, assault, robbery, drug dealing and illegal mining.
“The South African Police Service (Saps) has fortified its resolve against criminals by arresting 16 692 suspects nationwide between December 22 and 28,” Van Wyk said. “Furthermore, 165 murder suspects were arrested and 104 suspects for illegal possession of firearms during this period.”
Police placed particular emphasis on alcohol-related offences, which authorities have identified as a major driver of violent crime during the festive season.
In just one week, 1,603 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, while 963 suspects were taken into custody for illegal liquor trading. More than 632,000 litres of alcohol were confiscated across several provinces.
Beyond alcohol-related crimes, police arrested 1,152 wanted suspects for serious offences, including murder, rape, sexual assault, robbery, carjacking and illegal possession of firearms.
Arrests included 118 suspects for rape, 1,445 for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, 220 for drug dealing and 51 for residential and business robberies.
Significant seizures were also recorded, with police confiscating 134 firearms, recovering 1,513 rounds of ammunition and seizing contraband goods worth more than R5 million, most of it in Gauteng.
Officers also recovered hijacked and stolen vehicles, confiscated abalone, copper and tobacco products, and disrupted several illegal mining operations.
High-profile arrests were reported in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape and North West, including cases linked to mass shootings, gang violence, hitmen and organised illegal mining syndicates.
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola said police would continue to intensify operations to ensure public safety during the festive period.
“The festive season must be a time of joy, not tragedy,” Masemola said, adding that SAPS would remain resolute in protecting communities and restoring order across the country.
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