Gauteng crime op yields 45 000 arrests
2013-01-22 20:28
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Johannesburg
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Johannesburg - Over 45 000 people were arrested in
Gauteng since police launched their "Operation Duty Calls" (ODC) crime
fighting campaign in September 2012, authorities said on Tuesday.
Provincial Police Commissioner Mzwandile Petros said the
arrests were for crimes including robberies, rape, kidnapping, murder, fraud
and shoplifting.
"We bolstered and strengthened the operation with
the deployment of members who would normally be on rest days," he told
reporters in Ekurhuleni.
Seven base camps were set up across the province during
the operation.
It launched on 15 September 2012 and would run until 31
January.
"We confiscated more than 411 500l of alcohol
and we will be destroying in excess of 52 500l of alcohol, and destroying
more than 294 000 counterfeit CDs and DVDs," he said.
Tip-offs resulted in scores of would-be criminals being
arrested.
Fewer cash-in-transit and bank robberies were reported,
while no mall robberies were reported.
The number of hijackings and vehicle thefts remained
high.
Police recovered 2 437 stolen vehicles.
A total of 3 346 illegal guns and over 47 000 round of
ammunition were also confiscated.
Petros said police were also increasing their focus on
drug dealers.
"For this period, we confiscated six million grams
of dagga, 2 832g of cocaine, 4 225g of nyaope, 2 551g of tik, to
mention but a few."
Around 18 508 people were arrested for charges of drug
possession or dealing.
At least two premises believed to be drug laboratories
were raided and police confiscated drugs worth around R30m.
He said there had been a surge in farm killings, with at
least five attacks reported in the last four months.
In rape cases, police arrested 1 357 suspects for rape
and 82 for attempted rape. At least 27 of those who were convicted on rape
charges were handed life sentences.
One of the biggest achievements for police was ensuring
that Hillbrow was safe during New Year's celebration.
"We had the safest New Year celebration, without
even one person needing medical attention."
Petros believed the campaign was successful, but said
there was still room for improvement.
- SAPA
