DURBAN – Police officers across the province have been conducting a number of multi-disciplinary operations in an effort to stem the tide of crime and place criminals behind bars. A number of roadblocks, stop and search operations, suspect raids, cordon and searches as well as inspection of liquor premises were conducted over the weekend.
In the early hours of this morning, police officers from the Durban Central police station were conducting an operation when they spotted two suspicious men on Umgeni Road. Whilst police were searching these men, a female (25) alighted from the vehicle and informed police that the two men had raped her few minutes earlier. The suspects aged 21 and 27 were immediately arrested by the police officers. The victim took the police officers to the crime scene on 7th Avenue in Morningside for verification.
Three men aged between 21 and 40 were arrested at L Section in KwaMashu and three pistols were seized. Police officers from the Public Order Police were monitoring a funeral at L Section when they spotted the men discharging firearms in public. The suspects were arrested and charged for being in illegal possession of firearms and discharging of firearms in public.
Another arrest was conducted by Umbilo police officers a few minutes after a business robbery occurred. Three men entered a business premises on Gale Street in Umbilo and demanded cash. They took cash, an airtime machine, cellphones, a video recorder and keys before they fled on foot. Police who were alerted, spotted the men and a chase ensued. A 25-year-old man was apprehended and police recovered a gas gun, video recorder and keys in his possession. He was positively identified by the victim and was charged for robbery and possession of suspected stolen property.
Yesterday, Ntambanana police officers arrested a 23-year-old man for being in illegal possession of a firearm. The arrest was effected after intelligence of a man possessing a firearm was received. The man was searched and upon investigation, it was discovered that the firearm belonged to a security guard that was shot and killed on 11 September 2020 at Buchanana. Investigations are continuing to link the suspect with the murder.
Another arrest was made at H Section in Esikhaleni Township where a 27-year-old man was found with a pistol and 10 rounds of ammunition in his possession. He was arrested and charged for being in illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
At Newcastle, two men aged 26 and 38 were arrested on Voortrekker Street in the CBD after they were found with drugs in their possession. A 26-year-old man was found with rock cocaine whereas a 38-year-old man was found with heroin powder. They were both taken to Newcastle SAPS where they are facing possession of drugs charges. They were also charged for contravening the Immigration Act.
A motorist aged 27 was arrested by police officers from the Stock Theft Unit who were conducting stop and search operations on the Vryheid Main Road. They searched the truck driver who was found with a pistol with four rounds of ammunition is his possession. He was detained in Vryheid and charged for being in illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula commended police officers from across the province for their dedication and commitment in stemming the tide of criminality.

Source: South African Police Service