The arrests were part of Operation Paseka launched by the SAPS with the aim of combatting crime over the long weekend. The suspects were arrested for offences ranging from murder, attempted murder, robberies, rape, sexual assault, burglaries, malicious damage to property, theft, drug-related crimes, and driving under the influence of alcohol. The suspects arrested were between the ages of 20 and 48.

During the operation, police were able to confiscate items which included firearms with ammunition, vehicles, knives, and drugs. The provincial commissioner for police, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe, has welcomed the results achieved during the operation and applauded the
teams involved in providing a safe and secure environment to the citizens of the province. Suspects will soon appear before various magistrate courts across the province.

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Meanwhile, the MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Florence Radzilani, has expressed concern with the high number of pedestrians who have died on the provincial roads during the Easter weekend. Of all fatalities recorded, the majority were pedestrians crossing roads. The MEC is also concerned about the number of hit-and-run accidents causing most pedestrian fatalities.

“We have noted motorists tend to drive away after being involved in fatalities that include pedestrians. This criminal act defeats the ends of justice and makes it difficult for the families of the victims to find closure,” the MEC concluded. Operation Paseka was carried out by police units including the provincial tracking team, crime intelligence, the flying squad, tactical response team, K9, detectives, the airwing, organised crime, public order policing, vehicle crime investigation, stock theft, narcotics, as well as traffic officers across the province.