By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Minister of Police Bheki Cele says the police’s efforts to tackle crime this festive season is yielding positive results and will be maintained throughout the holidays.
Cele addressed the media in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on Sunday to provide an update of the festive season operations carried out by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
In the press conference, Cele stressed that the police were “all hands are on deck” with its “effective” policing interventions across various provinces.
“Since October 15 to date, police have arrested over 75,000 suspects for various crimes. This includes 560 murder suspects; 604 suspects have been charged with attempted murder; 470 rape suspects have been taken off our streets; 6,700 assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm suspects and almost five thousand alleged assaulters have been arrested for common assault,” said Cele.
He added that 408 suspects who tried to break into business properties have been arrested, while 561 people found in possession of firearms and ammunition were also behind bars.
“During this time, over 11,000 undocumented individuals have been arrested and efforts to deport them out of the country are underway,” said the minister.
“While it is appreciated that the festive season is a time for enjoyment and festivities, it remains very alarming that some motorists still choose to drink and drive. Police have arrested 4,488 drunk drivers since the 15th of October. Since the start of December, 2,500 people have been arrested for public drinking across the country.”
Police have also arrested 850 people for “being drunk and disorderly” in a public place.
“Police are acting hard on the abuse of liquor, which remains a core driver of crime, especially contact crimes. We are giving a stern warning to those who are stubbornly opting to trade liquor illegally; that their liquor establishment will be shut down and the liquor will be confiscated and they as owners of those establishments will be arrested,” said Cele.
To date, inspections at liquor outlets have resulted in 6,410 fines being issued for non-compliance.
“Just in the first 22 days of December, police have arrested 17,844 suspects for illegally trading in liquor. We continue to call on liquor traders to trade responsibly and liquor traders must be fully compliant. This is a non-negotiable,” said Cele.
Cele further highlighted the “numerous breakthroughs” the police has made recently including the arrest of more than 300 suspected illegal miners in Gauteng this week.
The alleged illegal miners, who are in South Africa illegally, were arrested across different areas in the province, where illegal mining activities take place.