Gauteng: Gauteng police kicked off their Safer Festive Season Operations with a major weekend crackdown that saw more than 1,000 suspects arrested, including 75 motorists caught driving under the influence of alcohol. The provincewide campaign, launched on Friday and led by Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, aims to curb crime and promote safety as the festive season approaches.

According to South African Government News Agency, arrests were made across all districts. In Ekurhuleni, 154 suspects were detained for offences including drug possession, liquor trading violations, and immigration-related crimes. Tshwane saw 463 arrests for crimes ranging from car hijacking to kidnapping. In Sedibeng and the West Rand, 179 people were taken into custody for possession of stolen property, drug dealing, and operating unlicensed liquor outlets. In Johannesburg, 218 suspects were arrested for offences including firearm possession, assault, and property damage.

Detectives also tracked down several wanted suspects linked to serious crimes such as rape, sexual assault, murder, attempted murder, and robbery. The arrested suspects are expected to appear in various magistrates’ courts from Monday, while others were released after paying admission of guilt fines. Police have urged the public to cooperate with law enforcement officers during the festive period as efforts to ‘turn Gauteng into a safer province’ intensify.