KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Thamsanqa Ntuli has commended a sterling job by KZN Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as the province records 313 firearms and arrest of 11 003 suspects in the month of July during province-wide operations.
The operations were carried as the newly appointed seventh administration of provincial national unity vowed to to reduce the level of crime in the province.
When he assumed his new role, Premier Ntuli moved the the department of community safety to his office as part of an integrated approach to lead from the front in the fight against crime.
Last week the province held a Provincial Social Crime Prevention Summit which was also welcomed by His Majesty Zulu King MisuZulu kaZwelithini as he said crime in the rural areas was on the rise.
Amongst the recovered firearms there are 260 pistols, 19 rifles and 18 homemade firearms.
Almost 5 000 rounds of ammunition of various calibre of firearms were also recovered.
The Premier said the province is in the right direction in pursuit of proliferation of illegal firearms and ammunition from the hands of criminals.
“We need to have zero tolerant on criminals who are terrorising our communities, I really commend the work of the police. We must be mindful that as we make inroads in the fight against crime there will be a pushback by those who benefit from criminal elements. We must therefore remain resolute behind our law enforcement agencies, ” said Premier Ntuli
191 murder suspects, 200 attempted murder suspects, 55 suspected house robbers, 45 business robbery suspects and 204 rape suspects were among 3 509 suspects who were arrested for contact crimes.
In an effort to reduce with the cases of assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, mostly occurring after the consumption of alcohol, 1 740 suspects were arrested while 548 people for illegal dealing in liquor.
Additionally, 281 were arrested for burglary at residential premises whilst 47 suspects were nabbed in connection with cases of stock theft.
The police visibility on the roads as well as targeted roadblocks and stop and search operations resulted in the arrest of 404 people who were found to be driving under the influence of liquor.
An additional 1 618 suspects are behind bars for drug-related crimes.
Arrests related to the violation of Domestic Violence Act were 180 while 41 suspects were arrested for kidnapping and 499 knives were among the 567 who were found to be in possession of dangerous weapons which were recovered during disruptive operations.