Durban - Police in KwaZulu-Natal have hailed Operation Fiela as a "major success" after more than 12 000 people were arrested.
“Operation Fiela in KwaZulu-Natal continues raking in major success with joint operations between SAPS (South African Police Service), SANDF (South African National Defence Force), Department of Home Affairs and Metro Police resulting in a total of 12 171 suspects being arrested throughout KwaZulu-Natal,” said KZN police spokesperson Major Thulani Zwane.
Zwane said the aim of the operation, which began in April, was to target “those areas that harbor criminals and to seize dangerous weapons, illegal firearms, stolen goods and drugs that are in the hands of the criminals as well as to arrest wanted suspects”.
Since the operation began, police had arrested 223 suspects for murder, 137 for possession of unlicensed firearms, 169 for rape and 146 for robberies.
Others were arrested for “house breaking, possession of drugs, stock theft, theft, assault, fraud, kidnapping and other cases”.
Items confiscated during the anti-crime operation included drugs, jewellery, firearms, and ammunition.
According to Zwane, the suspects had all appeared in courts.
ANA