Operation Shanela crackdown yields over 240 arrests across Northern Cape
POLICE across the Northern Cape intensified their efforts against crime as part of Operation Shanela, a high-density law enforcement initiative aimed at tackling priority offences. The latest phase of the operation, which ran from February 3 to February 9, saw officers working alongside other government departments and law enforcement agencies to target crimes such as murder, rape, robbery, drug trafficking and illegal firearms.
According to Northern Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock, a total of 241 suspects were arrested across the province's five districts. These arrests followed extensive disruptive actions, including wanted suspect raids led by detectives.
During the operation, the police conducted 10,996 disruptive actions, which included roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, high-visibility patrols, and stop-and-search operations. A total of 5,287 individuals and 2,420 vehicles were searched.
Authorities also carried out compliance inspections at liquor outlets, second-hand goods dealers, scrapyards, and recycling businesses to ensure adherence to regulations. Additionally, the police engaged with communities and visited schools as part of crime awareness initiatives.
Among the items seized during the operation were drugs, copper cables, home-made liquor, illicit alcohol, dangerous weapons, and cash believed to be the proceeds of crime.
The provincial commissioner of the SAPS in the Northern Cape, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, commended the collaborative efforts of all law enforcement agencies involved in the operation. She also reaffirmed the police’s commitment to making the province safer and emphasised the importance of community participation in crime-fighting efforts.
Lt-Gen Otola reiterated that “no one will be left behind” in the fight against crime and she pointed out that the involvement of community structures is crucial in ensuring safer neighbourhoods.
Lt-Col Kock encouraged community members to share information that could lead to the arrest of criminals by reporting incidents via the MySAPS app or calling the Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111.
