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Aiming to set a precedent for the busy December/January period, a team of various policing units in the Ladysmith, KZN area, arrested 45 people. According to the SAPS, this formed part of the Safer Festive Season Operations.

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With a total of 45 suspects arrested, Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Basheer Khan said that these individuals were detained for various crimes, including:
- Murder
- Attempted murder
- Rape
- Possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition
- House robbery
- Business robbery
- Possession of drugs
- Culpable homicide
- Stock Theft
- Common robbery
- Common assault
- Shoplifting
- Drunken driving.
Speaking about the event, Warrant Officer Khan said that a multi-disciplinary team including officers from the Visible Policing Units, the Tactical Repose Team, the Rapid Response Team, the uThukela Crime Intelligence Unit, and the Detective Tracing Team all operated in the Ladysmith area and were responsible for the arrests.
Discussing one of the arrests, Warrant Officer Khan explained, “Intelligence operatives were in the Bergville area where they questioned a man, who was found in possession of three firearms. The man was in possession of a valid licence for one of the three firearms in his possession. It was established that he failed to hand in a shotgun and a revolver that belonged to a deceased family member. The firearms have been confiscated, and further investigation is being conducted.”
However, despite the successful operation, this will not be the end, with uThukela District Commissioner Major General JB Khumalo saying, “All our festive season operations are being intensified.”
With enhanced police activity expected in the coming weeks, what are your thoughts? Do you think there is more the police can do?
Share your views in the comment section below.