The relentless efforts of Operation Shanela, a weekly high-density, multi-disciplinary law enforcement operation, led to the arrest of 166 suspects in the Northern Cape between September 30 and October 6.
THE RELENTLESS efforts of Operation Shanela, a weekly high-density, multi-disciplinary law enforcement operation, led to the arrest of 166 suspects in the Northern Cape between September 30 and October 6.
Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock highlighted that the operation spanned all five districts of the Province and included various disruptive actions such as vehicle and person searches at checkpoints and roadblocks.
These efforts led to arrests for various serious crimes, including assault, robbery, theft, malicious damage to property, housebreaking, and contravening court orders.
The operation also involved visits to farms, mines, and businesses, along with compliance inspections. A total of 128 second-hand dealers and liquor premises, both formal and informal, were inspected. This led to the closure of unlicensed liquor premises and the confiscation of large quantities of alcoholic beverages and homemade brew.
Among the items confiscated during the operation were two firearms, ammunition, copper cable, a vehicle, dangerous weapons, drugs, and cash believed to be linked to criminal activities.
The provincial commissioner for the SAPS in the Northern Cape, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, praised the efforts of all SAPS members, external role-players, and community members involved in the operation. She emphasised the importance of a collaborative approach to combating crime and reaffirmed the commitment to an “all hands on deck” approach, ensuring no one is left behind.
