The Police Ministry is confident that deep and meaningful inroads are being made in the fight against crime in the country.
This emerged during a media briefing held by the ministry on Sunday in Pretoria, regarding the police take down success of police counter operations in the country, in response to serious and violent crime.
The briefing was held by the Minister of Police Bheki Cele and senior SAPS management officials.
“In the past couple of days, the SAPS has intercepted armed and dangerous gangs, who have left a reign of terror and fear in their wake.
A group of eleven youngsters terrorising the community of Mariannhill in the Kwa-Zulu- Natal were intercepted and nine were shot and killed during an arrest.
Over 20 would-be Cash-In-Transit robbers in Witbank in the Mpumalanga province, were also stopped in their tracks through coordinated responses by the police and private security,” said Cele.
The briefing also come following criticism about the police heavy handed approach to eliminate crime, after several criminals were shot and killed during police shoot-out, especially in KwaZulu-Natal.
Cele however said they’re resolute and will remain unapologetic in their aggressive and decisive response to crime.
“There is no doubt that these criminals and many others are ruthless and arrogant.
Their actions demonstrate that they will eliminate anything and anyone that stands in their way.
Criminals have waged a war on communities and are so brazen, they are testing the authority of the state by attacking police officers,” explained Cele.
To help in the fight against crime in the country, the Minister said the SAPS Crime Intelligence Division has been rejuvenated and bolstered to identify and infiltrate syndicates.
“From April 2023 to date, 1171 Intelligence led takedowns were conducted by the SAPS.
These specialised operations involve weeks and at times months, of planning, surveillance, and monitoring of targets.
They involve highly skilled detectives working together with members of tactical units, who execute arrests,” highlighted Cele.
He said some of the successes include the dismantling of gang cartels involved in extortion related crimes in the Western Cape, breakthrough in the murder of musician Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane with the arrest of seven suspects, arrest of 24 suspects in the Fort Hare University murders probe among others.
Cele added that 3749 suspects have been apprehended during Intelligence led takedowns for various offences, that include murder, extortion, kidnapping, possession of illegal firearms, drug related and illicit mining among others.
The Minister also applauded Operation Shanela, which he said is helping to eradicate crime at identified high crime areas across the country.
“Exactly 551 506 suspects have been arrested for various crimes across the country since May 2023 when Operation Shanela was introduced.
Officers in blue in all 9 provinces, led by the respective Provincial Commissioners, have conducted almost 70 000 high density crime prevention, and combating operations in the last eleven months,” said the Minister.
The Minister expressed concern that over the past 11 months, 109 police officers have lost their lives.
“While the majority of the members died off duty, 36 police officers were killed during the commission of their policing work, such as confrontation with brutal and armed criminals.
Through investigative work conducted by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, 83 suspects have been arrested in connection with the police killings,” noted Cele.
The Minister urged the police to remain vigilant, protect communities and protect themselves.