A total of 232 suspected rapists and 10 others who allegedly attempted to rape women, are among 11 600 crime suspects who were arrested by police in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) during routine policing and targeted operations in the month of May 2025.
This was revealed by KZN police spokesperson Col Robert Netshiunda.
Out of the 11 600 suspects who were arrested, Netshiunda said 161 suspects were nabbed for murder. Over 190 suspects were arrested for attempted murder. And 287 firearms, 16 of which were rifles, were recovered during the month-long operations.
Robbery, assault suspects
Netshiunda said 182 suspects were arrested for their alleged involvement in cases of robbery with aggravating circumstances, carjacking, house and business robberies.
He added that 2 521 suspects were arrested for both assault common and assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm.
“Four hundred and seventeen suspects were arrested for burglaries. These were at both residential and business premises, and for stock theft and theft of or from motor vehicle,” said Netshiunda.
He said police visibility on the roads through roadblocks and vehicle checkpoints resulted in the arrest of 535 motorists. All were found to be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Netshiunda said 1 161 people were arrested for liquor-related crimes. These include public drinking, being drunk in a public place, illegal dealing and distribution of liquor. Also illegal macro and micro manufacturing of liquor.
Almost 1 000 dangerous weapons seized
“Seven hundred and nine dangerous weapons including 637 knives and 24 pangas were removed from society. One hundred and thirty one livestock were recovered. These include 63 cattle, 51 goats and 17 poultry,” said Netshiunda.
He said multidisciplinary operations are continuing. Police are grateful to community members whose tip-offs and cooperation continue to provide valuable investigation leads. These assist police in bringing perpetrators of crime to justice, he added.
Meanwhile, on May 22 2025, police in Mariannhill rearrested the 28-year-old rape suspect who escaped from police custody in Mariannhill on May 19 2025, following his arrest earlier on the day. Police’s relentless search for the suspect located him at a hostel in Umbilo on the day.
The suspect appeared at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on a charge of escaping from lawful custody. He was then transferred to Ekhombe to face several cases of rape. He allegedly targeted school pupils who resided at cottages of a school in Nkandla.
