From drugs to diamonds: Over 200 nabbed in Northern Cape crime blitz

A WEEK-LONG province-wide police crackdown has seen over 200 suspects arrested in the Northern Cape, as authorities intensify their crime-fighting efforts under Operation Shanela.

Provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the high-density operation, which ran from May 12 to 18, targeted criminal activity in all five districts of the province. Coordinated by multi-disciplinary teams, the operation led to 204 arrests for a range of serious offences, including robbery, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, drug-related crimes, housebreaking, and malicious damage to property.

As part of the crackdown, detectives tracked down wanted suspects while other officers carried out stop-and-search patrols, roadblocks, and high-visibility operations. In total, 3,464 vehicles and 6,603 people were stopped and searched.

Seventeen illegal liquor outlets were shut down for failing to comply with regulations, and compliance inspections were conducted at farms, mines, scrap yards, second-hand dealerships, and other businesses.

The police also confiscated an array of items linked to criminal activity, including illicit drugs such as dagga, crystal meth and mandrax, as well as uncut diamonds, dangerous weapons, firearms, cash, vehicles, and illicit alcohol.

The ZF Mgcawu District was among the focal points of the operation, with senior police officials - including the deputy provincial commissioner for Policing in the Northern Cape, Major-General Johnny Besnaar, and the ZF Mgcawu district commissioner, Major-General Monica Sebili - conducting on-the-ground inspections and engaging with station commanders, community policing forums, and local residents. 

These engagements form part of ongoing community outreach initiatives aimed at strengthening partnerships in the fight against crime.

The provincial commissioner of the SAPS in the Northern Cape, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, reiterated the police’s commitment to maintaining pressure on criminal networks and she thanked the public for their continued co-operation in reporting illegal activity and supporting law enforcement efforts.