SAPS arrests 230,000 suspects nationwide, Commissioner Masemola details festive results

National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola briefed the media in Pretoria on Friday on the South African Police Service (SAPS) festive season operations.

During this period, over 230,000 suspects linked to various crimes were arrested nationwide. Police revealed that more than 4,000 people were arrested for murder and attempted murder.

Masemola stated that only about 2,700 of those arrested have so far been convicted of various offences.

"The majority of those arrested during this festive period were those arrested for being in possession of drugs, bringing the total of those arrested for drug possession to 33,397 suspects," Masemola said. "A total of 4,281 drug dealers were also arrested during this period."