The South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Operation Safe Festive Season has given the National Police Commissioner many reasons to greet the new year with a smile, after generating a number of successes.
In a statement on the SAPS website, General Fannie Masemola expressed her satisfaction with the progress made by the operation, which is primarily focused on preventing and improving police action against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), preventing and combating aggravated armed robbery. , improving border security, enforcing laws and regulations as well as road safety.
SAPS noted its achievements since December 1, with the following achievements:
- 2940 is illegal, undocumented people are arrested
- 2729 suspects were imprisoned for drug crimes
- 1284 suspects were arrested for illegal dealing in liquor
- 628 suspects were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol
- 305 suspects were arrested and charged with murder
- 527 suspects were arrested and charged with sexual offenses, including rape
- 31 suspects involved in the kidnapping case were arrested
- 445 firearms were seized, including 7219 rounds of ammunition
- 244 stolen vehicles were recovered
- 9 444 explosives were seized
At least part of this success is due to the police deploying 10 000 newly trained officers ahead of the festive season, and the SAPS said they are “raising the visibility of the police through integrated and joint law enforcement anti-crime operations including patrolling, stop and search, roadblocks and suspect tracking what you want.
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Masemola has promised that SAPS officers will remain on alert during the New Year celebrations on Sunday and beyond.
“While the police will be deployed to hotspot areas, members of the public are advised to be more vigilant in their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station. We urge everyone to behave in an orderly and responsible manner during the New Year celebrations, most importantly remember to don’t drink and drive so that there are no casualties on the road.
General Fannie Masemola.
Also read: Police on alert for lawlessness as South Africans usher in 2023