KZN: 17 000 police deployed during elections, 9 595 criminals arrested in May

Police in KwaZulu-Natal managed to arrest 9 595 suspects in connection with various crimes in May.

More than 17 000 police officers were deployed to safeguard the 2024 National and Provincial elections, while the day-to-day policing continued unhindered.

Here is a break-down of the arrests: 

• 3 124 suspects were arrested for contact crimes, 145 of them having been brought to book for murder cases. Another 186 suspects were nabbed for their alleged involvement in cases of attempted murder.
• A total number of 295 firearms, inclusive of 11 rifles, 11 shotguns and 12 homemade firearms were removed from the streets.
• 2 494 ammunition of various calibre were also recovered.

Police spokesman, Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the fight against violence perpetrated against women and children was intensified which resulted in the arrest of 205 suspects for rape, 12 for attempted rape and 32 more for sexual assault. Another 155 suspects were arrested for the transgression of the Domestic Violence Act.

• 172 suspects were arrested for various forms of robberies including robbery with aggravating circumstances.
• 38 of those suspects were suspected to have been involved in a string of house robberies.
• 1 489 suspects were arrested for assaulting others with an intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
• 608 suspects were brought to justice in relation with cases of common assault.

Netshiunda said investigations into property related crimes led to the arrest of 393 suspects, 216 of them suspected to be involved in cases of burglary at residential premises.

“Forty nine people were arrested for stock theft, 338 suspects were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, whereas another 64 people were nabbed for kidnapping. Three people were also arrested for public violence,” he said.

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