Breaking: Police arrests over 2500 in iLembe KwaZulu-Natal

More than 2 500 arrests were made during iLembe’s festive season crime crackdown, officials confirmed last week.

Police in the iLembe District recorded 2 591 arrests during the 2025/2026 festive season operations, which ran until the end of January.

The figures, released by the Office of the iLembe District Commissioner, reflect intensified policing across the district over the holiday period. The operations were led by Saps in partnership with local law enforcement agencies, private security partners, ward councillors and traditional leaders.

A total of 1 077 arrests were linked to contact crimes, including 66 for murder, 41 for attempted murder, 71 for robbery and 47 for house robbery.

During the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, the district’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit stepped up its work. Police arrested 75 people for rape and 18 for sexual assault. In addition, 593 arrests were made for assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm (GBH), while 110 were related to domestic violence.

Police recorded 93 arrests for property-related crimes and 138 for contact-related offences, including 131 for malicious damage to property. A further 176 arrests were made for other serious crimes.

Roadblocks and high-visibility patrols also yielded results. A total of 303 people were arrested for possession of drugs, while 203 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Officers issued 776 fines for various violations, including traffic offences, illegal liquor sales and trading in second-hand goods without permits.

The district also reported 49 arrests for illegal possession of firearms and 49 for illegal possession of ammunition.

Police seized cocaine powder, rock cocaine, crystal meth, heroin powder, methcathinone and whoonga, along with 137 ecstasy tablets and 593 mandrax tablets.

Officers recovered 122 illegal and unlicensed firearms, including five homemade firearms and 2 336 rounds of live ammunition. Authorities also confiscated 8 067 litres of alcohol from illegal shebeens and taverns.

Joint operations with Home Affairs resulted in the arrest of 169 undocumented foreign nationals.

Acting iLembe District Commissioner Brigadier Sibongile Mhlongo commended officers and partners for their efforts and urged residents to continue reporting crime.