KwaZulu-Natal: Police efforts of making sure firearms don’t end up in the wrong hands are yielding results in KwaZulu-Natal.

According to South African Government News Agency, the South African Police Service (SAPS) in KZN recovered 287 firearms, 13 of which were rifles, as well as 5,825 rounds of ammunition during various operations in February. These operations also led to the arrest of 11,007 suspects across different categories of crime.

‘Firearms remain the weapon of choice that criminals use in the commission of murder, attempted murder and armed robbery crimes,’ the SAPS reported in a statement. During these operations, 151 suspects were arrested for murder, 159 for attempted murder, and 217 for robberies, including those with aggravating circumstances, carjackings, cash-in-transit heists, and house and business robberies.

The detectives were also diligent in their efforts, arresting 217 suspects for rape, 37 for sexual assault, and 2,547 for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and common assault. In terms of property-related crimes, 439 suspects were apprehended for offenses such as burglaries, stock theft, and both theft of and from motor vehicles.

Additionally, 626 dangerous weapons were confiscated, including 562 knives, 12 axes, and 20 machetes, resulting in the arrest of 163 suspects. The operations also saw 569 undocumented foreign nationals arrested for violating the Immigration Act.

Furthermore, 1,107 individuals were detained for liquor-related offenses, including public intoxication, illegal liquor dealing and distribution, and the illegal macro-manufacturing of liquor. The police also managed to recover 34 cattle, 46 goats, 33 sheep, and four horses during these operations.