Operation Shanela 2 steps up crime prevention across Northern Cape

THE SOUTH African Police Service (SAPS) in the Northern Cape has intensified its crime combating efforts through Operation Shanela 2, reinforcing a zero-tolerance approach to criminal activity across the province.

High-density operations were conducted from Monday, December 29 last year, until Sunday, January 4. The operations were led by the Provincial Commissioner, Deputy Provincial Commissioners, District Commissioners and senior management, with the support of multiple stakeholders.

These included the National Traffic Police, municipal and provincial traffic authorities, and the Departments of Home Affairs, Justice and Constitutional Development, and the South African Revenue Service (SARS). Community Policing Forums across the province also participated.

During the operation, police searched numerous premises and conducted searches on 10,280 individuals. A total of 4,448 vehicles were stopped and searched. Members carried out stop-and-search actions, high-visibility patrols, vehicle checkpoints and roadblocks as part of the intensified deployment.

Detectives also traced and arrested several wanted suspects who had been evading arrest.

Farm visits were conducted to ensure compliance with immigration and labour legislation, while nine unlicensed liquor outlets were identified and closed. Compliance inspections were further carried out at licensed liquor premises, second-hand goods dealers, scrapyards and recycling depots.

Firearm compliance inspections took place at both official and non-official institutions, including private security companies and firearm dealers.

Police also inspected informal businesses, including spaza shops, as well as formal businesses, with a specific focus on compliance with labour legislation.

In total, 322 individuals were arrested for a range of offences. These included the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, dealing in and possession of drugs, illegal liquor trading, business and residential robberies, murder and attempted murder, rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, common assault, burglary at business and residential premises, malicious damage to property, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and contraventions of immigration legislation.

Large quantities of alcohol and drugs were confiscated during the operation, and money suspected to be the proceeds of crime was seized.