Police urged to increase law enforcement operations to deal with crime
Police conducted roadblocks; raids; stop and search operations; inspections on liquor outlets, cordon and search operations and high visibility patrols at various parts of the province, including hotspot areas.
Law enforcement operations during the month of July have resulted in the arrest of 1417 suspects throughout the province.
ALSO READ: BREAKING: One reported dead in Hibberdene cash in transit heist [WATCH]
The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mxolisi Kaunda has commended the police for conducting these operations.
From July 16, police conducted roadblocks; raids; stop and search operations; inspections on liquor outlets, cordon and search operations and high visibility patrols at various parts of the province, including hotspot areas.
Of the 1417 suspects, 277 were arrested for drug related crimes, 35 for murder, 130 for drunk driving, 126 for assaults; 47 for robberies; 12 for housebreaking and 15 for rape. Seventy-five suspects were charged with possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition after 69 firearms and 540 rounds of ammunition were recovered. The firearms that were seized included 61 pistols, four assault rifles, two homemade firearms and two shotguns.
“We would like to commend the police for the sterling work in ridding our communities of crime. As the provincial government, we have always maintained that the majority of the men and women in uniform are committed to their work. It is only a few rogue elements who are tarnishing the good image of hard-working police officers,” said Mr Kaunda.
Outlining government’s bold plan to fight crime in the province, Mr Kaunda said that his department will be pulling all the stops in ensuring that community policing is improved and that community-crime fighting structures are given adequate support to be eyes and ears of the police.
In the budget speech the MEC presented in the legislature last month, he indicated that more effort will be given in reducing the proliferation of illegal firearms drugs and liquor outlets.
“These are the main drivers of contact crimes that we continue to witness in our communities. We have also committed ourselves in assessing the functionality of police stations in areas that are hardest hit by violent crimes,” said Mr Kaunda.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
To receive our FREE email newsletter, click HERE
