1 500 held in crime blitz
2003-04-22 12:08
Kimbereley - Northern Cape police, assisted by the army and traffic officers, arrested 1 515 people in 59 operations and at 28 roadblocks over the Easter weekend, police said on Tuesday.
Inspector Tony Modise said 414 people were arrested for serious offences including murder, domestic violence and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
Eighteen people were arrested for drunken driving.
About 1 100 people were arrested, fined and later released for lesser offences such as possession of dagga and illegal dealing in liquor. The 1 100 included 833 people who were fined for public drunkenness.
Modise said police confiscated a quantity of beer and dagga as well as unlicensed firearms and ammunition, and recovered stolen goods including television sets.
Modise noted that Easter church services at Galeshewe and Lanleg near Kimberley attracted a congregation of about 13 000, but by contrast no incidents were reported.
- SAPA