Police blitz sees more than 300 firearms seized

Some 345 illegal firearms were recovered last month and 12 593 suspects were arrested for various offences during police operations across KZN.

A total of 171 suspects were arrested and charged with murder, 261 attempted murder suspects, and 250 suspected rapists.

During the operations, police also recovered 345 firearms and 2 998 rounds of ammunition of various calibre of firearms.

Among the recovered firearms were 23 rifles and 17 homemade illegal guns.

Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda explained that 4 010 suspects were arrested for contact crimes, inclusive of different types of robberies, car and truck jacking, and assaults.

“On property-related crimes, a total of 501 suspects were arrested. Some 252 suspects were arrested for burglaries at residential premises, 99 suspects were arrested for burglaries at business premises, and 51 were nabbed for stock theft-related cases.

“A total of 460 suspects were brought to justice for malicious damage to property, 15 people were taken in in connection with cases of arson, and 1 657 suspects were arrested for drug-related crimes. Roadblocks, stop-and-search operations and spontaneous vehicle checkpoints resulted in the arrest of 454 motorists for driving under the influence of liquor or drugs.

“Those who committed domestic-related crimes were also traced and arrested. Some 261 suspects were arrested for the transgression of the Domestic Violence Act, 56 suspects were arrested for kidnapping, while four more were nabbed for child abuse. Illegal sale of liquor was also dealt a blow when 547 people were arrested accordingly; 143 were arrested for being drunk in a public place, and 56 were arrested for drinking in a public space.

“A total of 649 knives, eight axes and seven machetes are among the dangerous weapons recovered and seized during the operations.

“With the Safer Festive Season Operations in full swing, police visibility will be systematically increased and community members are encouraged to continue providing police with valuable information leading to the arrest of criminals, thus creating a safer KwaZulu-Natal for all residents and visitors,” said Netshiunda.

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