JOHANNESBURG - Over 13,000 suspects were arrested for various offences nationwide, in Operation Shanela II, a police operation carried out between 6 and 12 July.
Amongst those arrested are 1,886 individuals wanted for serious and violent crimes, including murder, rape, armed robbery and hijacking.
The operation, according to police spokesperson Amanda van Wyk, also saw law enforcement lead the destruction of over 11,000 firearms.
“The majority of the firearms were recovered during policing operations such as Operation Shanela, while others were voluntarily handed in or surrendered during firearm amnesty periods.
“Of those firearms destroyed, 157 were linked to finalised cases involving crimes committed against women and children, while three were linked to cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies, van Wyk said.
Meanwhile, police recovered 46 stolen or hijacked vehicles while also seizing 100 unlicensed firearms, including handguns, shotguns, and rifles.
According to van Wyke, in a separate operation, SAPS, in collaboration with SANDF, arrested 120 illegal miners in Mohlakeng, West Rand District.
The suspects, she said, were charged and face charges related to possession of gold-bearing material and contravention of the Immigration Act.