More than 150 000 suspects were arrested for serious crimes in the Country

Police Minister Bheki Cele revealed statistics about the SAPS’s efforts to curb crime in the Western Cape on Tuesday, 3 October.

 PHOTO: Minister Bheki Cele

The minister said that since April, 155,000 suspects were arrested for serious crimes such as murder, rape, robberies, and hijacking throughout the country, with thousands arrested in the Western Cape. He said 1 365 firearms had been removed off the streets of the province and 978 murder suspects were arrested.

There have been 13 incidents of kidnapping for ransom, and seven were solved. Three vehicles have been recovered while two people were convicted to life behind bars for kidnapping.

Cele added that more than 6,000 perpetrators of violent and dangerous assault had also been arrested with 798 suspects apprehended for aggravated robberies.

“Since April to the end of September, targeted police operations have resulted in the seizure of drugs, vihhicles, firearms, and counterfeit goods with a combined value of over R140 million”, said Minister Cele.

The minister said Operation Shanela would continue and police are set to increase crime prevention measures in the province.

 

Done by: Alungile Njemla