11 000 arrests, 300 firearms seized in police operations in KZN

A total of 11 780 suspects were arrested for various categories of crime, and 341 firearms recovered, together with 3 562 rounds of ammunition of varying calibres, during police operations across KwaZulu-Natal in March.

According to KZN SAPS spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, the highest number of arrests was for contact crimes, where 3 872 suspects were nabbed, 219 of them arrested for murder; 222 for attempted murder; and 160 for robberies, including robbery with aggravating circumstances, house and business robbery, carjacking, and cash in transit robbery.

Netshiunda added that the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) detectives arrested 248 suspects for rape, while 49 were nabbed for sexual assault.

“On drug-related crimes, 1 599 suspects were arrested. Police visibility on the roads was maintained; 512 suspects were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and 41 people were arrested for reckless and negligent driving,” said Netshiunda.

He added that the stop-and-search operations resulted in the recovery of 791 dangerous weapons, of which 716 were knives.

Moreover, 1 817 suspects were arrested for cases of assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, while 891 suspects were nabbed for common assault.

“On property-related crimes, 268 suspects were arrested for burglary at residential premises, and 55 for stock theft. Thirty-three cattle and 80 goats were recovered in the process. Seventeen suspects were arrested for theft of motor vehicles.

“These operations will be amplified during April, and high police visibility will be maintained, especially during the Easter weekend,” said Netshiunda.

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