Police blitz nets nearly 1,000 suspects across Northern Cape

THE NORTHERN Cape police have arrested 961 suspects through Operation Shanela II, a weekly multi-disciplinary high-density operation that ran from Monday, September 22, to Sunday, September 28. The operation aimed to reduce contact and violent crimes in the province.

During the operation, police conducted vehicle checkpoints, stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, and targeted drugs and other commodities smuggling. A total of 6,116 vehicles and 11,499 persons were stopped and searched at various checkpoints and roadblocks across the province.

The police also executed compliance inspections at second-hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, including 115 licensed liquor outlets, as well as farms.

The arrested suspects were implicated in various crimes, including murder, attempted murder, rape, assault, burglary, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and theft. More than 167 wanted suspects were also traced and detained for evading court appearances and contravening court orders.

The police confiscated large volumes of alcoholic beverages and closed 34 unlicensed liquor outlets and shebeens. They also seized drugs, dangerous weapons, and cash believed to be the proceeds of crime.

According to Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, the provincial commissioner of the Northern Cape, "The arrests by the police are a testament to the men and women in blue’s unwavering commitment to prevent and combat serious and violent crimes”, adding that each arrest is a step closer towards a safer province for all.

The provincial commissioner also expressed her gratitude to all law enforcement agencies for their collaborative efforts in clamping down on crime and thanked the community for their support and for sharing information with the police.