National Commissioner of the SA Police Service (SAPS) General Fannie Masemola on Monday revealed that all provinces now conduct “simultaneous blitz operations” to tackle rising crime.
Speaking at the SAPS Academy in, Pretoria West, Tshwane, General Masemola said: “To this end, in July alone, a total of 1 173 illegal firearms and 7 738 live ammunition were confiscated countrywide. 1 035 of these were confiscated in Gauteng alone.”
He made his remarks in his update on the interventions he has put in place to address rising crime.
“Our analysis of crime threats and crime patterns guide our intensified deployments over identified problematic time zones and at identified crime hotspots,” General Masemola.
“For instance, there is an indication that in general, the most serious and violent crime is committed between Fridays and Mondays.”
General Masemola said there was now tighter enforcement of the Firearms Control Act, the National- and Provincial Liquor Acts, and the Second Hand Goods Act.
He said the police were also mounting strategic roadblocks. “As we continue to look after the well-being and safety of South Africans, over 22 320 suspects were arrested across the country in July for crimes committed against members of our communities. 3 193 of these suspects were arrested for Assault GBH, 576 for murder, 360 attempted murder, 432 for rape and 177 for sexual offences,” revealed the SAPS national commissioner.
General Masemola said the performance of police commanders was now measured against these operational interventions.
