The Northern Cape SAPS multi-disciplinary high density operation, termed Operational Shanela continues to address priority crimes in hotspot areas throughout the province during the peak of the festive season.
The weekly actions commenced on Thursday, 21 December 2023 and concluded on Sunday, 24 December 2023.
SAPS members were out in full force, supported by the SANDF, Traffic Department, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Transport, Community Police Structures and private security to clamp down on crime throughout the province by executing actions with emphasis on alcohol and drug related crimes, illegal firearms, murders, damage to essential infrastructure, crimes committed against women and children, house robbery, house breaking and aggravating robbery.
The actions included the searching of persons and vehicles during stop and search actions, high visibility patrols in rural and urban communities, vehicle check points, roadblocks, tracing of wanted suspects, compliance inspections at liquor outlets, second hand goods dealers and scrapyards, compliance inspections at firearm dealers, visits to spaza shops and farm visits.
A total of 14 222 persons, 5470 vehicles and 101 premises were searched during the actions.
The efforts produced a total of 307 arrests for various crimes namely, contravening the Firearms Control Act, 2000, illegal possession of ammunition, illegal possession of dangerous weapons, dealing in drugs, illegal dealing in liquor, illegal possession of drugs, murder, attempted murder, rape, assault GBH and burglary.
Detectives traced and arrested 179 wanted suspects in connection with crimes including business robbery, murder, rape, assault GBH and illegal possession of firearms.
During the execution of the operation several items were confiscated including liquor, cash, cellphones, contraband valued at over R10 000, dangerous weapons and drugs.
An awareness campaign was held in Carnarvon where about 350 children were sensitized about general personal safety.
Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola encouraged Provincial and District SAPS Management to reinforce efforts and to continue eradicating crime in the province.
She reiterated that alcohol abuse must not be tolerated during this period as this leads to the commission of serious and violence crime as well domestic abuse.
The safety of women and children must be vigorously undertaken during the Christmas period.
She encouraged the community to refrain from abusing alcohol and drugs and to know the whereabouts of their children at all times.
With more boots on the ground, high density operations will continue unabated.
Operation Shanela clamps down on crime during the peak of festive season https://t.co/CcvWUsyYbk#ArriveAlive #RoadSafety #FestiveSeason @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/PbkGj1O3SL
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) December 25, 2023