MBOMBELA – Operation Paseka has proven to be effective during the Easter weekend as the South African Police Services (SAPS) recorded very low crime figures.
This was disclosed by the Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi. He has appreciated all law enforcement agencies for their meaningful contribution during Operation Paseka 2025 in Mpumalanga.
The operation recorded 808 arrests, they included various serious crimes committed as follows:
• Nine murders
• 25 for rape charges
• Three rape suspects
• Three were charged for car jacking.
• Five were arrested for House Robberies
• Seven were nabbed on Armed Robbery charges
• 206 were apprehended for driving under the influence of alcohol.
During the Operation, Ports of Entries were not left out by the team led by the Acting Provincial Commissioner, especially Lebombo Port of Entry and Oshoek Border Post.
The intention was to ensure maximum visibility to prevent possible cross-border crime. This exercise of heightening visibility in its totality, yielded positive results as several items were confiscated during the Operation, which include 51 firearms, 301.7 kilograms of drugs, 2100 litres of liquor, 25 livestock and 80 vehicles.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkwanazi visited the three Districts (Gert Sibande, Ehlanzeni and Nkangala) during the operation and the General focused on roadblocks, liquor outlets, and also touched base on the borders as well as shopping malls and complexes in the province. In comparison with the previous Paseka, the Operation was successful with less serious crimes reported.
