The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in the Northern Cape, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, has reiterated that Operation Shanela remains steadfast and focused in combating contact crimes, drug dealing, gender-based violence and femicide (#GBVF) and squeezing the space for criminals to operate.
The intensified police operations which commenced on Monday, 25 March 2024 until Sunday, 31 March 2024, resulted in the apprehension and arrest of 462 suspects for an array of offences.
A total of 18 215 police actions and activities were executed during this period which included, vehicle checkpoints (VCP’s), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, drugs and tracing operations by detectives.
Vehicle checkpoints and numerous roadblocks were conducted across the province during which 4 331 vehicles and 9 911 persons were stopped and searched.
Compliance inspections at second-hand goods dealers, firearm dealers, liquor premises, formal and informal businesses, mines as well as farms were conducted. A total of 2 458 patrols were executed at shopping complexes, malls and in hotspots to intensify police visibility.
The suspects were apprehended and arrested for crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder, robbery, assault, burglary, theft out of motor vehicle, malicious damage to property dealing and possession of drugs, dangerous weapons, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, illegal possession of firearm and ammunition, illegal dealing in liquor, contravention of the Immigration Act as well as contravention of the Second Hands Goods Act.
Detectives in the five districts traced and arrested 181 #wanted suspects, who have been evading the police while 281 persons were arrested for other crimes.
Disruptive actions also resulted in the confiscation of large volumes of alcoholic beverages, drugs and numerous dangerous weapons at illegal shebeens, recovery of livestock and suspected stolen property in hot spot crime areas.
