Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has applauded the police for their work in rescuing a kidnapped businessman and apprehending eight kidnappers, including three Tanzanian nationals, at a house in Lenasia.
The operation also led to the seizure of drugs suspected to be crystal meth, with an estimated street value of R300 million.
“This operation reflects the dedication and bravery of our police officers, who risk their lives daily to protect our communities.
Our fight against organised crime and drug trafficking requires a united front, leveraging the strengths of various law enforcement agencies.
This success is a testament to what we can achieve through collaboration and the diligent application of our resources,” said Mchunu.
Meanwhile, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, said their bold and decisive approach in preventing and combatting crime as well as intercepting criminals in all forms of shape continues to yield positive results.
Masemola was briefing the media in Kempton Park, on countrywide police operations.
“We are responding decisively to the war declared by criminals, and we remain resolute in our efforts to fight crime and anyone who threatens the safety and security of law-abiding citizens and have thus adopted an aggressive approach in ensuring that we stamp the authority of the state,” said Masemola.
The Commissioner dismissed reports that the police are using heavy handed methods, especially in KwaZulu-Natal, when dealing with criminals.
His comments come as about 50 suspects have been killed during police takedowns.
“It is important to clarify that, our mandate as the SAPS is to bring perpetrators to justice by arresting them, but quite often in pursuit of arresting these often dangerous and heavily armed criminals, our police officers are more than often met with heavy gunfire and that leaves our officers with no option but to defend themselves and the communities that they serve,” explained the Commissioner.
In addition, Masemola said more than 760 000 suspects have been arrested across the country, through the high-density operations, Shanela.
“These include 161 752 wanted suspects for priority crimes, including murder, cash-in-transit armed robberies, sexual offences, rape, car hijacking and firearm-related offences.
We have established and beefed-up cash-in-transit task teams, particularly in the Eastern Cape, where a number of them have been recorded in the month of July.
More than 20 000 firearms have been seized from all corners of our country,” said Masemola.
The Commissioner highlighted that the police have also registered breakthroughs with the arrest of at least ten suspects linked to ATM bombings in Gauteng.
“Eight of the suspects were intercepted in Katlehong, Thokoza, and Soweto in Gauteng while another two were traced to Senekal in the Free State.
These arrests were affected with the assistance of our partners in the banking sector and key stakeholders in the fight against crime.
These suspects are being linked to more than 20 ATM bombings that took place in Soweto and the East Rand,” said Masemola.
The Commissioner said the police have also registered breakthroughs by dismantling gangs, arrests of suspects linked to ATM bombings, arrests and sentencing of suspects linked to construction mafia, fight against drugs leading to the interception of more than R2 billion, illicit mining activities and gender-based violence amongst others.
Masemola, expressed concern about the high number of police officers killed in the country.
“It is quite disheartening to note that on Sunday, 01 September will be gathered at the Union Buildings to pay tribute to 39 police officers who lost their lives serving and protecting our communities.
These are members who died in the line of duty between 01 April 2023 and 31 March 2024.
These were dedicated men and women in blue who when called to respond to the call of duty, did not hesitate and paid the ultimate price with their lives,” concluded the Commissioner.
