National commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola says police should focus on removing illegal firearms and drugs from the streets after a successful seven-day crackdown against crime that led to the arrest of almost 14,000 suspects.
Masemola who, according to spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe, spoke during a meeting of SAPS top brass looking at the crime picture in the country, said police could not achieve this success without community support.
“The national commissioner is encouraging all provincial commissioners to intensify the fight against crime and that there’s definitely progress. They can do more,” said Mathe.
In just a week, police have arrested 13,996 suspects across the country for various crimes including murder, rape, drug dealing and robberies.
Mathe on Monday said between July 29 and August 4, 4,065 suspects were arrested for murder, rape, possession of illegal firearms and business robberies.
A total of 106 suspects were arrested for murder and 150 for attempted murder; 182 suspects were arrested for rape, with 80 of the arrests made in KwaZulu-Natal.
Mathe said these arrests were made through their high-density operations, commonly known as Operation Shanela.
Koena Mashale
www.sowetanlive.co.za
