More than 750 people operating in crime syndicates have been arrested since July 1, Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa said on Friday.
He told a media briefing in Pretoria that operation Washa Tsotsi — a coordinated intelligence-led operation — had also seized R25,5-million-worth of evidence.
”These arrests were over and above arrests made during normal day-to-day policing and detective work,” he said.
The crimes for which the people were arrested include murder, attempted murder, rape, house robbery, armed robbery, business robbery and vehicle hijacking.
Mthethwa said corruption had been a focus area in Gauteng, with 13 home affairs officials being arrested in the Vaal area.
”More arrests are expected during the course of the day,” he said.
Corrupt officials were also arrested in Krugersdorp, Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Mthethwa said while Operation Washa Tsotsi — launched on July 1 — would continue, its focus would turn to aspects of crime combating.
”Today [Friday] all provincial commissioners were provided with a comprehensive list of wanted criminals for whom warrants of arrest have been issued, or who have been linked to crime scenes through fingerprints or DNA.”
The charges for these wanted criminals included murder, rape, all categories of robbery and burglary or theft of motor vehicles.
Clean-up operations would be conducted in areas that had a high number of incidents of contact crimes. Chop-shops and illegal drug labs would also receive high priority.
Mthethwa said the public should also expect high police visibility over the coming months with mobile roadblocks — supported by South African Defence Force Oryx helicopters — conducted across the country, but especially in Gauteng.
Deputy Minister Fikile Mbalula urged the public to cooperate in making it impossible for criminals to hide.
”The nature of the operation itself is largely about cooperation of the people — You harbour a criminal, you are a criminal.” — Sapa