Operation Shanela, the weekly multi-disciplinary high density operation executed across the Northern Cape Province, commenced from Wednesday, 15 August 2024 and concluded on Sunday, 18 August 2024, focusing on the reduction of contact and violent crimes in crime hotspots in the five districts.
Police in collaboration with relevant role-players executed numerous actions including, vehicle checkpoints (VCP’s), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, smuggling of drugs and other commodities.
Vehicle checkpoints (VCP’s) and roadblocks were conducted across the province during which 2, 853 vehicles and 5, 320 persons were stopped and searched.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga as well as District Commissioners led the teams on the ground.
Numerous compliance inspections to second-hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, farms and mines were also conducted.
A total of 217 suspects were
apprehended and arrested for an array of offences such as murder, attempted murder, rape robbery, assault, burglary, malicious damage to property, dealing and possession of drugs, illicit mining, possession of counterfeit goods, possession of suspected stolen stock, undocumented persons, possession of precious metals as well as illegal dealing in liquor that resulted in the closure of 10 liquor outlets.
Detectives in Frances Baard, Namakwa, ZF Mgcawu, JTG and Pixley Ka Seme districts in total arrested 287 wanted suspects during tracing operations for evading court appearances and contravening court orders.
Large volumes of alcoholic beverages and non-ferrous metal items were seized as well as huge amounts of drugs and cash believed to be the proceeds of drug dealing during different raids as various locations.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga indicated that the success of Operation Shanela is due to the support of various communities and the multi-disc
iplinary approach with several role players and we will unabatedly continue to combat any unlawful actions and ensure special care to victims of GBVF.
The SAPS encourages the public to rate the police efforts in fighting contact crimes by participating in the “RATE OUR SERVICE” online survey to assist the police in improving services.
Source : South African Police Service