Operation Back to Basics: Safer Festive Season in conjunction with Operation Thunderstorm, conducted throughout the province continued netting a number of suspects as well as confiscating illicit goods.
The operations which are executed with other role players, in the form of other departments and agencies within the security cluster including the Department of Home Affairs, SARS, Traffic Management, SANDF, State Security Agency, Private Security Firms and the Intelligence Community among others. A total number of 1569 suspects were arrested in the period in question so far. This figure includes wanted suspects as well as those arrested for various transgressions, inter-alia, for murder, rape, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), robberies, possession of stolen property, burglary, possession of narcotic drugs, liquor-related crimes, driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal firearms and ammunition.
The dedicated teams further recovered eight stolen/robbed vehicles as well as confiscated one that was allegedly involved in the commission of crime, three firearms, 274 928ml of liquor, 5 584.91g of dagga and 53 plants thereof. They further issued a total of 1 461 fines for violation of the Road Traffic Act and Liquor Act.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma and his Management commended the effort and dedications displayed by all the role-players for continuing to work even during the time of Christmas in creating a safe and secure Mpumalanga before, during and beyond the festive season.