SINCE the start of December to 22 December, the police have arrested 2 500 people for public drinking in Mzansi, while 850 people were bust for being drunk and disorderly in a public place.
This was revealed by national police spokeswoman Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.
She said the police were coming down hard on the abuse of liquor, which remains a core driver of crime, especially contact crimes.
“To date, inspections at liquor outlets have resulted in 6 410 fines issued for non-compliance. Just in the first 22 days of December, police have arrested 17 844 suspects for illegally trading in liquor. We continue to call on liquor traders to trade responsibly and liquor traders must be fully compliant. This is non-negotiable,” she said.
Mathe said the South African police management, led by Police Minister General Bheki Cele, the deputy police minister Cassel Mathale and the national commissioner General Fannie Masemola, have been criss-crossing every corner of Mzansi to ensure the safety and security of all this busy festive season.
“Through integrated and joint operations, the SAPS is maintaining high visibility on our roads, public spaces, train stations, taxi ranks and malls through foot and vehicle patrols,” she said.
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Mathe further said since 15 October, police have conducted 3 364 roadblocks across the country, more than 200 000 stop-and-searches, 26 569 vehicle check points and over 500 000 vehicle and foot patrols.
She said police have arrested more than 75 000 suspects for various crimes, including:
- 560 suspects for murder
- 604 suspects charged with attempted murder
- 470 rape suspects
- 6 700 suspects for assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm suspects and almost 5 000 for common assault
- 408 suspects who were arrested for the attempt to break into business properties
- 561 people found in possession of firearms and ammunition.
“During this time, over 11 000 undocumented individuals have been arrested and efforts to deport them out of the country are underway,” she said.
Minister Cele said: “It’s all hands on deck as police continue to intercept, dismantle and take down criminals in all forms and shapes. This will continue throughout the festive season and beyond. Our communities’ safety is our priority."
