Operation Fiela, a multi-disciplinary operation led by the South African Police Service (SAPS), continues to sweep criminal activities off South African streets.
During the period 1 April to 30 June 2015, 9968 suspects have been arrested during the operation in various parts of the country for criminal activities.
Gauteng recorded the highest with 3 064 arrests, 1 314 in Limpopo, 1 264 in the Western Cape, 1 225 in Mpumalanga, 916 in KwaZulu-Natal and 881 in the North West.
About 561 suspects were arrested in the multi departmental specialised operations in the Northern Cape, 460 in the Eastern Cape and 283 in the Free State.
The nation-wide simultaneous operations in identified hotspot areas has been applied in various provinces like Gauteng, Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal where it was used to rid them of illegal weapons, drug dens, prostitution rings and other illegal activities such as illicit drugs, illegal firearms and gangsterism, among other offences.
“We are pleased with the progress we have made, particularly on issues that were raised by communities as they relate to crime,” said Minister in the Presidency, Jeff Radebe, who leads government’s Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration.
Concerns
During the various Operation Fiela multidisciplinary operations in communities, the issue of drugs has become a key concern raised and in addition many young people who have fallen prey to drug abuse have been arrested for committing various crimes to feed their habits.
This saw social workers from the Department of Social Development visiting police cells to assess and recommend treatment intervention for the victims.
Althoug the IMC was pleased with the successes of Operation Fiela – it was concerned about the police killings, saying it was an attack on the foundation of democracy.
As many as 58 police officers have been murdered this year alone.
Foreign nationals
The reporting period of the national crime blitz, led by the SAPS and other partner agencies such as Home Affairs, Metropolitan Police and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) also saw the screening of foreign nationals detained at repatriation centres, such as Lindela.
A total of 6 781 individuals awaiting deportation were screened. The screening process includes the capturing of biometrics such as fingerprints, as well as photographs.
The identified persons are wanted for crimes ranging from rape, housebreaking, robberies on residential premises, common robbery and car-jacking, to cases of theft, assault, dealing and possession of drugs.
The Minister said a total of 15 396 people, who were in South Africa illegally, have already been repatriated to their countries.
The IMC however dismissed reports linking the repatriation of 2 000 Angolan refugees to the work of Operation Fiela.
Calls to work together
“We call upon everyone to condemn such attacks and urge everyone in South Africa to do their civic duty by providing any information that may assist in the arrest of these perpetrators,” said Minister Radebe, who also condemned the spate of violent protests in some parts of the country.
“Such acts of violence, intimidation and destruction of property are criminal offences, and the police will arrest and prosecute those who commit such acts.”
The IMC also called on South Africans to partner with law enforcement agencies in reclaiming public spaces from the hands of criminals.
Criminals, Minister Radebe said, live amongst us in communities – as such people should stop turning a blind eye towards criminality.
“This is not the responsibility of government alone. All sectors of our society need to play their part in ridding our society of crime. We should all get involved in the establishment of street committees, neighbourhood watches and also join community policing forums.”
South Africans have been urged to make an anonymous tip off to the Crime Stop call centre at: 08600 10111. – SAnews.gov.za
Alan Straton
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