Police in KwaZulu-Natal say they have made over 12 000 arrests for a variety of crimes committed in the province during specialised operations and routine policing last month.

331 firearms and 16 000 rounds of ammunition were recovered.

Crimes related to murder, attempted murder and assault recorded the highest arrests at 3 741.

Police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda says, “Out of the total number of arrests, 3 741 suspects were arrested for contact crimes, including 216 suspects who were arrested for murder and 201 attempted murder suspects. A total of 331 firearms and 16 178 rounds of ammunition from different calibre firearms were removed from society.

Netshiunda adds, “For crimes committed against women and children, police investigated and arrested 193 suspected rapists. 50 suspects were arrested for sexual assault, eight people were arrested for attempted rape and 17 suspects were arrested for other sexual offences. 204 people were arrested for transgressing the Domestic Violence Act and an additional four suspects were put behind bars for child abuse. Road carnage was prevented, 519 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. 2 108 suspects were arrested for drug-related crimes.”