The relentless efforts by the Eastern Cape police to rid the province of crime and criminal activities led to the arrest of one thousand three hundred and seventy seven (1377) suspects over the past seven days ending 20 January 2019, in various crime prevention operations within twenty one (21) clusters.
The charges range from murder (23), robbery (43), rape (24), assault GHB (190), stock theft (36 cattle) and general theft (40), to name but a few.
Through the well planned and carefully executed operations, thirty nine (39) firearms and five hundred and six (506) various assorted rounds of ammunition were also recovered and removed from the hands of criminals. The 39 firearms include thirty four (34) revolvers and pistols, two (2) rifles and three (3) shot guns. All the firearms will be subjected to ballistic tests to ascertain whether it have been used earlier in the commission of crime.
A total of nine thousand seven hundred (9700) counterfeit goods, seventy seven (77) cell phones, two hundred and eighteen (218) dangerous weapons including two hundred and eight (208) knives, four hundred (400) mandrax tablets and fifteen (15) vehicles were recovered.
Two hundred and nine (209) warrants and forty seven (47) traffic fines were affected.
The suspects are expected to appear in various courts throughout the province facing their respective charges.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga applauded the members for their efforts in achieving the successes.
“Operation Safer Festive Season must continue to be felt and these successes are a measure we can use to gauge the impact of our members on the ground. Members must continue to stamp their authority by arresting perpetrators of crime in high numbers and free our streets of illegal activities like smuggling and selling of drugs and unlicensed firearms,” she said.
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