GAUTENG – The South African Police Service arrested 17 160 suspects, including 2 688 wanted for serious and violent crimes, and confiscated counterfeit goods worth more than R160 million during a nationwide crime crackdown ahead of the festive season.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has intensified its fight against violent crime, organised criminal networks, drug trafficking and illicit trade through simultaneous operations across all nine provinces between 12 and 18 October.

The intelligence-driven operations, conducted under Operation Shanela and the National Festive Season Operations, resulted in 17 , 60 arrests, including 2 688 wanted suspects linked to serious and violent crimes.

Police also recovered 175 illegal firearms, including high-calibre weapons, and seized 2 059 rounds of ammunition as part of efforts to remove dangerous weapons from circulation.

Firearms recovered

One of the major breakthroughs was the dismantling of a mandrax manufacturing laboratory in Meadowlands, Soweto, on 16 October.

Police seized manufacturing equipment, mandrax tablets and chemicals used in drug production, with an estimated street value of R1.6 million. Four suspects were arrested at the scene.

In a separate operation, the National Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit confiscated counterfeit goods valued at more than R160 million in Johannesburg’s central business district (CBD).

Police also uncovered an illicit alcohol manufacturing facility on a farm in Stilfontein, North West, on 15 October. Three undocumented Malawian nationals, including the farm owner, were arrested in connection with the operation.

Illicit alcohol with an estimated street value of R1.4 million was seized.

Meanwhile, members of the Commission Recommendations Task Team arrested a 49-year-old man at OR Tambo International Airport for allegedly failing to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

Drug possession tops nationwide arrests

Drug-related offences accounted for a significant number of arrests during the week-long operations, with 3 076 suspects arrested for possession of drugs and 291 for dealing in drugs.

Assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) was the second-largest category, with 1 637 arrests, followed by 1 445 arrests involving undocumented foreign nationals.

The arrests also included suspects linked to violent crime, property offences, illegal firearms, human trafficking and illegal mining.

The breakdown of arrests by offence was as follows:

• 3 076 for possession of drugs
• 1 637 for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm
• 1 445 undocumented foreign nationals
• 1 101 for common assault
• 669 for illegal dealing in liquor
• 669 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• 543 for possession of a dangerous weapon
• 374 for malicious damage to property
• 291 for dealing in drugs
• 245 for residential burglary
• 185 for human trafficking
• 184 for rape
• 168 for attempted murder
• 133 for murder
• 87 for aggravated robbery
• 81 for illegal possession of firearms
• 75 for contravention of the Firearms Control Act
• 71 for illegal mining
• 59 for illegal possession of ammunition

Alcohol, weapons and stolen vehicles seized

In addition to the major seizures of counterfeit goods, drugs and illicit alcohol, police confiscated more than 35 000 litres of alcohol during the operations.

Other recoveries included various types of drugs, 771 dangerous weapons and 58 stolen or hijacked vehicles.

The confiscation of 175 illegal firearms and 2 059 rounds of ammunition was another significant outcome of the crackdown, aimed at reducing the availability of weapons that can be used in violent crimes.

The operations form part of the SAPS’s intensified efforts to combat crime and strengthen public safety as South Africa approaches the festive season.

With 17 160 arrests recorded in just seven days, the nationwide crackdown targeted a broad range of offences, from drug possession and assault to murder, rape, human trafficking, illegal mining and organised illicit trade.

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