The police in Gauteng held many intelligence driven operations, complemented by roadblocks, stop-and-search operations, raiding of illegal liquor outlets and tracking of wanted suspects, as well as heightened police visibility at hot spots including shopping malls.
An estimated total of over 1200 suspects were arrested over the weekend as a result of these Safer Festive Season Operations.
Suspects were arrested in Johannesburg for various offences ranging from armed robbery, attempted murder, possession of drugs, assault, drunk and driving, business robbery, possession of hijacked vehicle.
While more than three hundred suspects were arrested in Ekurhuleni for crimes ranging from rape, house breaking, possession of suspected stolen and hijacked vehicles, possession of dagga, driving under the influence of alcohol and assault.
Four hundred suspects were nabbed by the police in Tshwane for committing crimes such as business robbery, house robbery, and possession of suspected stolen property, house breaking and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Police from Soweto were visible and conducted operations that resulted in the arrest of one hundred and sixty suspects for assault, business robbery, house breaking, driving under the influence of alcohol and possession of stolen motor vehicle, amongst other crimes.
West Rand police had operations that were conducted jointly with the community and other law enforcement agencies which resulted to the arrest of three hundred and sixty suspects for crimes such as possession of illegal substances, culpable homicide, rape, assault, shoplifting, housebreaking and theft of motor vehicles.
Other suspects were arrested in other parts of Gauteng for various crimes.
These operations will continue and intensify as the festive season reaches its peak with schools closing and majority of people going on holiday.
All arrested suspects will appear before the court soon.
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