Police in KwaZulu-Natal have arrested 12 454 suspects and removed 493 firearms from wrong hands during various operations in the month of August 2024.
With police having intensified the fight against violent crimes such as murder, attempted murder and armed robberies, a total of 3 946 suspects were arrested in relation to contact crimes. One hundred and fifty six of them were nabbed for murder cases and 203 suspects were arrested for cases of attempted murder. Two hundred and twenty suspects were traced and arrested for their alleged involvement in various cases of robbery, including truck-jacking, house and business robberies. Most of these crimes are committed with the use of firearms and in efforts to rid communities of all illegal firearms, 493 firearms were recovered as well as 4 692 rounds of ammunition of various calibre. Among the recovered firearms were 51 rifles, 409 pistols, 20 shotguns, nine homemade firearms and four automatic firearms.
Three hundred and twenty three suspects were arrested for rape and 51 more suspects were arrested for cases of sexual assault. Police also worked tirelessly to ensure that those who assault others are brought to book, and as a result, one thousand eight hundred and fifty four suspects were nabbed for assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, whereas 789 people were arrested for assault common. Thirty one suspects were arrested for stock theft, six people were arrested for dealing in goods at an unregistered Second Hand Goods premises and four people were also arrested for being in possession or receiving stolen property.
A total of 1 682 suspects were arrested for drug related crimes and 662 people were also nabbed for illegal dealing in liquor. Police in KwaZulu-Natal appreciate the growing relationship between the police and community members who are giving police information on criminal activities in their areas. Dangerous and armed suspects have been arrested after police followed tip-offs from community members.
