KwaZulu-Natal leads in firearm and drunk driving arrests during national police crackdown
Police recovered 140 firearms and 1,720 rounds of ammunition in one week in operations across the country.
Image: SAPS
KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number of arrests for illegal firearm possession and driving under the influence during a week-long national police operation that resulted in 14,273 arrests across the country.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), 45 suspects in KZN were arrested for the illegal possession of firearms between July 21 and 27, the most of any province. The province also led in arrests for driving under the influence, with 157 people detained, just ahead of Gauteng (156).
A key takedown in the province took place on July 24, when the Provincial Organised Crime Unit seized six unlicensed firearms during the operation. Two suspects were arrested.
These arrests formed part of Operation Shanela, which targeted serious crimes, illegal weapons, drugs, and counterfeit goods across all nine provinces.
Nationwide, the arrests included:
- 2,081 wanted suspects for serious crimes including murder, rape, attempted murder, robbery, and hijacking;
- 172 for murder, with Gauteng recording 46 and Eastern Cape 37;
- 170 for rape, and 138 for attempted murder;
- 1,598 for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm;
- 1,700 drug-related arrests including 324 for dealing and 1,376 for possession;
- 119 arrests for illegal firearms, 45 of them in KZN;
- 672 for driving under the influence, led by KZN and Gauteng.
Police also recovered:
- 140 firearms and 1,720 rounds of ammunition;
- 81 stolen or hijacked vehicles.
In Gauteng, three suspects linked to robberies disguised as police stops were arrested on the R104. They were found with a police uniform, blue light, unlicensed firearm, and ammunition, and are linked to crimes in Boschkop, Cullinan, and Bronkhorstspruit.
In Limpopo, two men were caught with stolen goods, a hijacked vehicle, firearms, and 17 mobile phones in Marulaneng village.
In the Eastern Cape, police rescued a kidnapped Ethiopian businessman in Rouxville and recovered a hijacked Hyundai SUV.
Meanwhile, SAPS units working with other agencies seized over R156 million worth of counterfeit and illicit goods, including fake designer clothing, Springboks merchandise, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, mainly in Gauteng, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga.
SAPS said the results reflect intensified efforts to reduce violent crime and protect public safety.