SAPS seizes guns, cash, and vehicles in 244,951 arrests

Masemola

Cape Town – The South African Police Service (SAPS) says it conducted extensive crime-fighting operations during the festive season, leading to 244,951 arrests from October 2024 to January 2025.

“From the period 01 October 2024 to 31 December 2024 – a total of 9 908 accused were found guilty and convicted for various crimes, including murder, rape, armed robberies, house breaking and car hijacking,” National Commissioner for the South African Police Service, General Fannie Masemola, said during a media briefing on Sunday.

These efforts, aimed at protecting communities and tourists, resulted in significant seizures, including 2,198 firearms, 37,658 rounds of ammunition, and 1,767 explosives, largely from KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, and the Western Cape.

“Firearms remain a big problem in South Africa as most serious and violent crimes including murders were committed with the use of a firearm,” the National Commissioner said.

The SAPS also recovered R4 million in cash, 16,293 stolen cell phones, and 960 hijacked vehicles. Over two million patrols and 4,600 roadblocks were carried out.

Additionally, 78,000 inspections of liquor premises and 6,547 unlicensed liquor premises were shut down.

Crime prevention focused on violent crimes such as gender-based violence (GBV), murders, robberies, and car hijacking. In the GBV category, 685 perpetrators were convicted, with 110 receiving life sentences.

The SAPS also targeted organised crime, including illegal mining, kidnappings, and vehicle theft, utilizing intelligence collaboration and investigative efforts.

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

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