Durban - A major security operation in KwaZulu-Natal saw more than 100 suspects arrested for a range of offences including drug dealing, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and for being in South Africa illegally.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Jay Naicker said: “Operation Fiyela kicked off in KwaZulu-Natal, with 108 people arrested across the Province for various offences.
“These multi-disciplinary operations which include various SAPS disciplines, SANDF, Department of Home Affairs and Metro Police aims to clean up our streets of criminal elements and make our neighbourhoods safer. During the first two days of the operation, security forces were deployed in large numbers across the Pietermaritzburg, Umlazi and Inanda Clusters.
Naicker said criminal dens were targeted during the intelligence-driven operations resulting in 15 suspects being arrested for dealing or possession of drugs. Security forces also targeted those that dealt in alcohol illegally, resulting in eight arrests. Three suspects were also arrested for being in illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Large quantities of drugs, alcohol, dangerous weapons, stolen goods and counterfeit goods were seized by police.
“Security forces also arrested 68 people who were in the country illegally and could not provide the necessary documentation,” Naicker added.
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni, congratulated the security forces involved in the operations for their approach in targeting crime hot spots.
“In the days ahead, Operation Fiyela will be going into other areas as our intelligence dictates and we will be cleaning up identified trouble areas. Members of our Provincial Joints Structures are fully involved in all operations and we enjoy the support of all government departments that form part of this body. There will be a lot of dust as we hit the ground and we want to assure our communities that criminals will be feeling the heat,” she said.
ANA