EASTERN CAPE - POLICE TACKLE CRIME HEAD ON WITH OVER 1800 SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN 1 WEEK ACROSS THE PROVINCE

Police efforts to fight crime throughout the province were rewarded when a total of 1839 suspects were arrested for various crimes in the Eastern Cape through police initiated interventions over the past seven days from 04 -11 November 2019.

The suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from rape (37), robberies (45), assault GBH (331), assault common (105), burglary (65), murder (62), stock theft (13 sheep), illegal dealing in alcohol (59) and dealing in counterfeit goods.

A total of four hundred and thirty five (435) counterfeit cigarettes were confiscated including counterfeit clothing items (19).

Dangerous weapons that include axes (4), knives (445) and pangas (11) were also confiscated during the operation.

Alcohol abuse and illegal trade in alcohol continues to be the main driver of the rise in contact crimes, such as, abuse, crime, assault or murder. It is for this reason that Operation Safer Festive Season is intensifying on combating illegal trade in alcohol through closure of illegal dealerships and issue of fines as a deterrent. At least 59 illegal alcohol outlets were closed down while 98 suspects were arrested for drinking in public as well as in public places (17). Fines were issued through 189, J534 issues and 92 were issued for illegal dealing in alcohol.

Dagga weighing 14.5 kg was also confiscated, including 758 mandrax tablets. Smaller amounts of whoonga, Khat and chrystal meth were also recovered.

A total of eighty six drivers were taken off the road and arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

In our pursuit to deter armed robberies, assault and murders, 31 firearms, 392 various, assorted rounds of ammunition and three homemade rifles were removed from the hands of criminals. Though this operation, household items like iron, laptops, TV sets, PlayStation, microwave, camera, cellphones accessories and computer appliances were recovered from the hands of illegal owners.

Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga commended the teams for well-coordinated team efforts. We must keep our promise we made when we launched this operation, the promise of maintaining high visibility and ensuring that our people are and feel safe and their property is safe. “We have intensified our efforts and we want visible results. We must continue to make it uncomfortable for criminals and enforce the supremacy of the law by all means possible.”