SIYABONGA SITHOLE
Gauteng has emerged as the centre of gun violence and crime after National Police commissioner Fannie Masemola revealed that in July alone, Gauteng accounted for 1035 firearms that were confiscated by the police during their month-long crime prevention efforts.
This was revealed by the national commissioner during his media briefing held at the police headquarters on Monday morning.
Masemola also added that police were working on a multi-disciplinary approach to bring an end to violent crime and lawlessness in the country. In July, the police in Gauteng and other parts of the country have intensified their fight, which the commissioner said was bearing fruit.
He said an intelligence-driven fight was needed to deal with crime which is why all police commissioners and station commanders have been encouraged to ensure visibility in their respective provinces and cities.
"All provinces are now conducting simultaneous blitz operations with high visibility and combat operations throughout the weekend. These include searches as well as intelligence-driven multi-disciplinary disruptive operations. Tighter enforcement of firearms control act, the National and Provincial Liquor Act, the National Second Hand Goods Act, as well as strategic, mounting road blocs, are operational interventions against which station commanders are now being measured, "Masemola said.
"To this end, in July alone, a total of 1173 illegal firearms and 7738 live ammunition were confiscated countrywide. More than 1035 of these were confiscated in Gauteng alone. Some of these firearms, ammunition and dangerous weapons were seized during roadblocks, as well as stolen vehicles and drugs, "he said.
Masemola also said most of the violent crimes happen during weekends and his address came when more than 85 illegal miners were appearing in Krugersdorp Magistrate Court for the gang rape of eight young women in West Rand village in Krugersdorp.
Following the countrywide blitz and the intensified efforts to fight crime, the commissioner says the work of the police is paying off.
"This reflects our determination as management of the SAPS to intensify our efforts l, dealing decisively with the proliferation of illegal firearms, thus reducing the volumes of serious crimes.
" The past weekends have been marred by incidents of shootings that have resurfaced in multiple murders and injuries in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng mostly. With the analysis of this emerging crime patterns, Provincial Commissioners are mobilising maximum resources towards preventing more such incidents and apprehending the perpetrators, "he said.
According to the national commissioner, the month of July was a busy month as the police were able to arrest at least 22 320 suspects across the country. More than 3193 of these were arrested in Gauteng for crimes such as rape, sexual assault and assault GBH, murder and attempted murder.
Masemola, whose address coincided with the appearance of alleged the West Village rapists, said the police would leave no stones unturned in bringing those responsible to book.
"On this note, let me take this opportunity to ensure South Africans that the multi-disciplinary team of investigators, assigned to the West Village incident of multiple rapes of 8 young women, will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the suspects are ultimately linked to the crimes so that they can face the full might of the law, " he said.