During Child Protection Month, KwaZulu-Natal led with the highest number of rape arrests, totaling 49. Overall, over 13,000 suspects were apprehended in Operation Shanela II activations carried out by the police.
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KwaZulu-Natal emerged as the province with the highest number of rape arrests during the South African Police Service’s latest nationwide Operation Shanela II crackdown, as police intensified efforts during Child Protection Month.
According to SAPS, 13,365 suspects were arrested between May 4 and 10, including 1,794 wanted suspects linked to various serious crimes across the country.
Of particular concern was the arrest of 146 rape suspects nationwide, with KwaZulu-Natal recording the highest number at 49 arrests, followed by Gauteng with 33.
Police said some of the victims in these cases were children.
The province also played a significant role in several high-profile crime-fighting operations during the week, which included a deadly shootout involving an alleged kidnapper and the fatal wounding of five suspected rhino poachers in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
In one of the incidents, a suspect accused of kidnapping a Pakistani businessman in Hluhluwe was shot and killed during a confrontation with police on May 9. The suspect allegedly abducted the businessman on May 6 and demanded ransom money for his release.
In a separate operation in Hluhluwe on the same day, five suspected rhino poachers were fatally wounded during a shootout with police. Officers recovered a hunting rifle, a silencer, and two pistols from the suspects.
The SAPS said the nationwide operations formed part of ongoing efforts to tackle violent crime, gender-based violence, illegal firearms, drug trafficking and organised criminal activity.
Among the arrests made across South Africa were:
Police also confiscated 106 illegal firearms, 1,716 rounds of ammunition, and 759 dangerous weapons during the week-long operations. Authorities further recovered 104 hijacked or stolen vehicles.
The operation also delivered significant breakthroughs in other provinces.
In the North West, five suspects including a police officer, were arrested in connection with an ATM bombing in Dinokana near Zeerust. Three suspects were killed during a shootout with police in Mmabatho.
Meanwhile, in Gauteng, Operation Prosper led to the arrest of 62 foreign nationals in Crystal Park during an illegal mining crackdown conducted jointly with the South African National Defence Force and other law enforcement agencies.
In Limpopo, eight suspects linked to illegal mining activities around Giyani were arrested, while Mpumalanga police seized dagga valued at approximately R6 million following a tip-off in Graskop.
The SAPS said the weekly successes demonstrated the commitment of law enforcement agencies in “creating a safer and more secure country for all”.
Police urged communities to continue working with law enforcement by reporting criminal activity and protecting vulnerable groups, especially children, during Child Protection Month.
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