Inside SAPS’ festive crackdown: Nearly 19,000 arrests and tens of thousands of litres of alcohol seized

Inside SAPS’ Festive Crackdown: Nearly 19,000 Arrests in Just One Week

As South Africans hit the roads, malls and taverns in December, police have been moving just as fast and in far greater numbers.

In a single week, the South African Police Service (SAPS) arrested 18,781 suspects and confiscated more than 46,000 litres of alcohol, as part of a nationwide festive season crackdown aimed at curbing crime and restoring order during one of the country’s busiest periods.

The figures, released on Monday, reflect arrests and seizures made between 8 and 14 December under the Safer Festive Season Operation, working alongside Operation Shanela II.

A Show of State Authority During Peak Season

Police say the intensified operations are about more than statistics. December traditionally brings a spike in violent crime, alcohol abuse and road fatalities, particularly as families travel and communities gather for celebrations.

According to SAPS, the latest operations were designed to “enhance public safety and assert state authority” at a time when criminals often believe enforcement is stretched thin.

Instead, police presence was ramped up, visibly and decisively.

Thousands of Wanted Suspects Tracked Down

Among those arrested were 2,716 wanted suspects, many linked to serious and violent crimes including murder, rape, attempted murder, car hijackings and armed robberies.

Police also clamped down hard on alcohol-related offences:

• 1,030 suspects were arrested for operating in the illegal liquor trade

• 1,210 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

For many South Africans, especially families affected by drunk driving crashes every festive season, these numbers resonated strongly on social media, where users welcomed tougher enforcement but questioned why such intensity often fades outside holiday periods.

Gender-Based Violence Remains a Priority

SAPS confirmed that gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) operations were further intensified during the week.

A total of 183 suspects were arrested for rape alone, with:

• Gauteng recording the highest number (48 arrests)

• KwaZulu-Natal following with 38

The figures arrive amid ongoing national concern over violence against women and children a crisis that does not pause for holidays.

Murder, Drugs and Firearms Dominate Arrests

Police arrested 164 suspects for murder nationwide in just seven days. The highest numbers were recorded in:

• Eastern Cape (38)

• Gauteng (37)

• KwaZulu-Natal (37)

• Western Cape (20)

Drug-related crime also remained stubbornly high:

• 2,528 arrests for drug possession

• 362 arrests for drug dealing

The Western Cape led drug-related arrests, followed by KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape a reflection of entrenched drug networks police say require sustained pressure, not short-term blitzes.

Firearms, Fake Goods and Illegal Mining

Beyond arrests, SAPS reported significant seizures across provinces:

• 141 unlicensed firearms and 2,486 rounds of ammunition confiscated

• 62 stolen or hijacked vehicles recovered

• Contraband goods worth over R37 million seized

High-profile operations included:

• The arrest of three suspected illegal miners in Bapong, with police seizing 10 excavators

• The confiscation of more than 63,000 counterfeit items worth over R37.6 million in Gauteng

In one dramatic incident in Parys, two suspected blue-light robbers were shot dead after a high-speed chase and shootout. Police recovered fake police uniforms, unlicensed firearms, SAPS insignia, blue lights, sirens and false number plates, a reminder of how criminals exploit trust in law enforcement.

Will the Momentum Last?

While SAPS has confirmed that the Safer Festive Season Operation will continue nationwide, public reaction has been mixed. Many South Africans welcomed the visible policing, while others questioned whether the same intensity will be sustained once January arrives.

For now, the message from police is clear: festive cheer does not come with a free pass for crime.

As holiday travel peaks and year-end celebrations continue, SAPS says it remains committed to keeping pressure on criminals, on the roads, in communities and across provincial borders.

{Source: The Citizen}

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