The South African Police Service (Saps) has arrested 18 781 suspects and seized contraband goods worth more than R37 million in a single week as part of its nationwide Safer Festive Season Operation. According to the police, the arrests and seizures were made from 8 to 14 December during operations conducted alongside Operation Shanela II. “Saps arrested 18 781 suspects for various offences and confiscated 46 021 litres of alcohol,” the police said in a media statement on Monday.
Saps said the operations focused on enhancing public safety and asserting state authority during the festive season. “A total of 2 716 wanted individuals were tracked down and arrested for serious and violent crimes, including murder, attempted murder, rape, car hijackings, sexual offences, house and business robberies,” Saps said. Police also arrested 1 030 suspects for the illegal liquor trade and a further 1 210 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Saps said it continued to intensify gender-based violence and femicide operations during the reporting period. “Saps is also continuing to intensify its gender-based violence and femicide operations, which led to the arrests of 183 suspects for rape,” the police said. Gauteng recorded the highest number of rape arrests with 48 suspects, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 38. Nationally, police arrested 164 suspects for murder during the past week.
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