DURBAN - Over 1000 suspects were arrested for various crimes by police in KZN in the span of a week following the release of shocking crime statistics last week.
The clampdown was conducted across the province from August 16 to 22.
The 1149 suspects were arrested for various crimes including murder, attempted murder, robberies, fraud, rape, possession of firearms, possession of drugs and possession of stolen property.
Provincial police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said teams consisting of police officers and other law-enforcement agencies had been deployed across the province and they had worked tirelessly to maintain peace and stability in the province.
“Police arrested 13 persons for murder, 16 for attempted murder, 47 for robberies, 37 for rape, 230 for assaults, 30 for burglary, 44 for malicious damage to property, 34 for theft, 124 for drug-related offences and 40 for being in possession of stolen property,” she said.
According to Gwala police also seized 36 firearms during these operations, which included rifles, pistols and revolvers as well as 676 rounds of ammunition.
During the police operations 35 vehicles that were stolen or robbed were recovered, she said.
Police officers also seized large quantities of drugs, alcohol, counterfeit goods and other items.
“All the arrested suspects briefly appeared at their respective Magistrates’ Courts across the province. High visibility operations are still ongoing in the province,” said Gwala.
This comes after Police Minister Bheki Cele released shocking crime stats last week.
The Mercury reported yesterday that murder cases in KZN increased by a staggering 64% between April and June this year, with 1 404 people killed during this period.
According to the report, an additional 548 people were killed in comparison with the same period last year, in which 856 people were killed.
Sexual offences and attempted murder cases also showed a sharp increase, by 68.2% and 71.8% respectively while about 6 258 cases of assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm were reported which showed an increase of 59.1% and an addition of 2 324 cases compared to the same period last year.
Between April and the end of June this year, there were 1 959 reported rape cases in the province, an increase of 799 cases.
Hijackings rose by 109.7% in the province, with 820 reported cases, an increase of 429 cases compared with the same period last year, when 391 cases were reported.
THE MERCURY