968 held in police crackdown

A total of 968 people were arrested in the Eastern Cape in the past seven days for crimes ranging from drug dealing to murder.

Of the arrests, 516 were for crimes like murder, attempted murder, rape and armed robbery.

The remaining 452 people were held for drug-related offences.

Eastern Cape police spokeswoman Brigadier Marinda Mills said the arrests were part of a provincial operation aimed at alcohol and drug abuse.

During a series of operations, 1 247 mandrax tablets, 62kg of dagga and 195 dagga plants were confiscated, she said.

Thirteen people were held for dealing in liquor illegally and 51 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“Police also recovered 16 stolen vehicles and seized 24 firearms and 405 rounds of ammunition in Mthatha,” Mills said.

Provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga said: “As long as young children are dependent on drugs and alcohol, [ensuring] a safer society will not become a reality.”