Recent police operations a ‘welcome fightback against crime and criminals’

Durban — The parliamentary portfolio committee on police believes that while recent arrests by police are a drop in the ocean, it is a welcome start to fightback against crime and criminals.

These include the arrest of Libyan nationals in Mpumalanga, the R2 billion drug seizure in Limpopo and the police shoot-out with criminals in KwaZulu-Natal.

At the weekend, chairperson Ian Cameron emphasised that collaboration should be the cornerstone of crime-fighting efforts as it brings the necessary force multiplier effort and ensures the elimination of a silo mentality.

Cameron praised law enforcement co-operation in arresting 95 Libyan nationals at a suspected military training base in Mpumalanga.

He highlighted the necessity of Crime Intelligence in efforts to eradicate crime in the country.

“These arrests highlight how important a functional SAPS Crime Intelligence Unit is in efforts to ensure a safe and secure county.

“It is unthinkable that foreign nationals could have the audacity to set up a military training camp in the country,” Cameron said.

As investigations continued, Cameron emphasised the importance of collaborating with international counterparts such as the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) to ascertain the intentions of setting up the suspected military base.

“We need to know to what end the suspected military camp was established, who financed its operations and whether the arrested Libyan nationals have no other criminal activities elsewhere,” Cameron said.

Cameron also welcomed the arrest of five men (two South Africans and three Mexicans) concerning a crystal meth and acetone lab on a farm near Groblersdal. According to police, chemicals for the manufacture of crystal meth and acetone valued at around R2 billion were seized.

“South Africa is facing a serious challenge with substance abuse that leads to many social ills. The arrest of these suspects gives impetus to the fight against drug trafficking in the country and will save many lives,” Cameron said.

He said it was necessary to apprehend the kingpins if South Africa is to be effective in dealing with drug abuse in the country. To this end, the centrality of Crime Intelligence is accentuated as it would uncover the necessary information needed to curtail any illegal action.

Additionally, Cameron welcomed the KZN police raid where three suspects were shot and killed in a shoot-out with police in KwaDlangezwa near Empangeni.

He said the operation is evidence of the good work of the track and trace team in KZN and demonstrates police commitment to tackle violent crime.

“Swift action by the SAPS in KZN brings hope that one operation at a time we will turn the tide against criminality and violent crime.

“While crime is still rampant in the country, we are reassured that through such breakthroughs we will eventually attain a safe and secure country that is necessary to drive economic growth and job creation,” Cameron said.

He also highlighted that while these arrests represent a drop in the ocean, it is a welcome start to push back against crime and criminals.

Meanwhile, on Friday, SAPS provincial commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi issued a stern warning to criminals who shoot at police officers that police will not back down. They will stamp the authority of the state to ensure that the lives of police officers are preserved and also to ensure that the residents of KZN are protected from hardened criminals who do not hesitate to spill blood, he said.

Mkhwanazi’s warning came after nine wanted murder and armed robbery suspects were shot and fatally wounded in four different shooting incidents with police in four days in the province.

On Tuesday, three suspects wanted for multiple murders including that of Sergeant Yekani Siboniso Thabete, were shot and fatally wounded in the Congo area of Inanda.

Thabete, who was a member of the KwaMashu Tracking Team, was attacked, disarmed, shot and killed with his service firearm.

On Thursday, one suspect was shot dead when he tried to kill police officers by shooting at them in the Madlankala area in Esikhaleni. He was part of a group of suspects who had bombed an ATM at a store earlier in the day.

Then in the early hours of Friday, three more suspects engaged in a gunfight with police and were fatally wounded at a house in the KwaDlangezwa area in Empangeni. They were also suspected to have been part of the ATM bombing.

Another two suspects, members of the notorious West Gang, were cornered at a house in the Angola area of Amaoti in Inanda. They were wanted for at least four murder cases.

Mkhwanazi said police have a mandate to investigate and bring perpetrators to justice. If criminals co-operate with law enforcement, no shoot-outs will occur.

“In the past three months, we have arrested more than 35 000 suspects who did not fight with the police. They will be taken through the justice system as our laws dictate, however, those suspects who put the lives of police officers and residents in danger by resisting arrest through gunshots leave police with no option but to return fire in self-defence and neutralising the danger.”

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