[Image: Wikimedia Commons]
South Africa’s festive season was anything but merry for criminals as the South African Police Service (SAPS) unleashed a nationwide crackdown, resulting in a staggering 244,951 arrests between 1 October 2024 and 31 January 2025.
Major General Mashadi Selepe revealed the jaw-dropping figures during a police portfolio committee briefing, crediting the massive haul to 6,332 operations executed across the country, per The Citizen. But while suspects were rounded up for everything from illegal liquor sales to violent crimes, one province emerged as the epicentre of the nation’s drug trade.
In a blitz targeting drug dealers, police arrested 4,675 suspects nationwide — but the Western Cape stole the spotlight with an amazing 1,713 arrests, cementing its reputation as South Africa’s drug-dealing hotbed.
Hot on its heels were:
Eastern Cape: 668 arrests
Gauteng: 558 arrests
Northern Cape: 491 arrests
Free State: 472 arrests
But the Western Cape’s notoriety didn’t stop there. The province also recorded 507 arrests for rape and a shocking 500 arrests for murder, making it one of the country’s most dangerous regions during the festive season.
Other Criminal Hotspots:
Murder and Rape
A staggering 2,599 suspects were nabbed nationwide. The Eastern Cape led with 584 arrests, followed by the Western Cape (500), Gauteng (495), KwaZulu-Natal (324), and Mpumalanga (252).
Out of the 3,816 arrests, KwaZulu-Natal topped the list with 1,635 suspects, trailed by the Western Cape (507), Gauteng (462), Eastern Cape (365), and Mpumalanga (250).
Liquor Raids and Border Crackdowns
Illegal liquor joints also felt the heat as police shut down 6,547 unlicensed premises, arresting 7,984 suspects in the process. Meanwhile, immigration sweeps saw 25,950 individuals arrested for being in the country illegally.
Explosives, Phones, and Millions in Cash Seized
Police didn’t just go after criminals — they hit them where it hurts: their wallets. The crackdown netted a staggering 1,767 explosives, 116,293 cell phones, and a cool R4 million in cash.
Drunk Drivers Flood Gauteng’s Roads
On the nation’s highways, Gauteng led the charge in catching drunk drivers, with 1,861 motorists busted for driving under the influence. The Western Cape (1,692), KwaZulu-Natal (1,509), Mpumalanga (1,415), and Eastern Cape (1,155) followed closely behind.
SAPS Under Fire for Costly Mistakes
Despite the wave of arrests, SAPS faced harsh scrutiny over its financial woes. The portfolio committee heard that the police service is drowning in R67.4 billion worth of civil claims — with R617.8 million shelled out for unlawful arrests and detentions alone.
“The category that is taking most of the money is unlawful detention and arrest,” admitted SAPS officials. “This matter is receiving attention. We are all concerned about the amount paid out for civil claims. It means all the money has to be directed to that.”
As the dust settles from this season’s crackdown, one thing is clear: South Africa’s war on crime is far from over.
[Source: Citizen]
