‘Operation Shanela’ nets success with over 300 arrests
THE ONGOING law enforcement initiative “Operation Shanela” continues to make strides in its mission to clamp down on crime in the Northern Cape.
The operation’s effectiveness was once again demonstrated by the arrests and law enforcement activities carried out in a week-long action from April 1 to April 7. These efforts, aimed at reducing contact and violent crimes in hot-spot areas in the Province, resulted in the apprehension of 300 suspects.
Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam said the operation involved various law enforcement activities, including vehicle checkpoints (VCPs), stop-and-search operations, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections and actions against drug and other contraband smuggling.
Multiple VCPs and roadblocks were set up across the Province, leading to a total of 3,561 vehicles and 7,696 individuals being stopped and searched.
Additionally, 1,168 compliance inspections were carried out at locations such as secondhand dealers, scrapyards, recycling centres, private security firms, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, farms and mines.
The operation yielded numerous successes, with 177 suspects arrested for offences ranging from murder, attempted murder, rape, assault, burglary, theft, illegal firearm possession, malicious property damage, drug dealing, stock theft and immigration violations.
Furthermore, 124 wanted suspects were traced and apprehended for evading court appearances and violating court orders.
The police also seized large quantities of alcoholic beverages and closed down a tavern in Gobblershoop for operating without a liquor licence. Other confiscated items included drugs, non-ferrous metal items and cash suspected to be the proceeds of crime.
The acting provincial commissioner of the SAPS in the Northern Cape, Major-General Luntu Ngubelanga, expressed appreciation to all the law enforcement agencies involved in the operation for their collective efforts and actions during this period.
He attributed the successes of Operation Shanela to the enhanced co-operation between law enforcement and the private sector and local communities in combating crime.
