Over the Easter weekend 541 illegal shebeens and taverns were shutdown throughout the country, majority of which were in KwaZulu-Natal. Suspects were arrested for drug possession, rape, GBV, murder, attempted murder and other serious and violent crimes
Image: SAPS
The South African Police Service (SAPS) cracked the whip this Easter, a total of 541 illegal shebeens and taverns were shut down by police across the country during the Easter long weekend. Of these, 270 were shut down in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
A total of 757 suspects who were found dealing in illegal liquor were also arrested - 270 were arrested in KZN, while 144 were arrested in Mpumalanga and 142 arrested in Gauteng. A total of 1 166 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs during that period - 265 of them were arrested in Mpumalanga.
A total of 1209 suspects who were found to be in possession of drugs were arrested - 393 of them were arrested in KZN. Also, 249 suspects were arrested for dealing in drugs and the Western Cape registered the majority of those arrested, with 61.
“Just this past week alone, a total of 17 605 suspects were arrested through Operation Shanela.” SAPS said in a statement. “Police officers across the country remain hard at work in preventing, combating and investigating crime. Through various interventions and take-downs, police operations led to the arrest of 3 662 wanted suspects for rape, murder and attempted murder among a host of other serious and violent crimes. Of these, 215 suspects were arrested and charged for rape. The majority of those arrested for rape (67) of them were apprehended in KZN.”
Over and above these, the following arrests were made across the country:
Police registered the following:
“Police will continue with their operations by asserting the authority of the state to ensure the safety and security of all South Africans and visitors to the country,” SAPS said.