Safer Festive Season Operations Shanela conducted at all the Districts of Limpopo Province

The Safer Festive Season Operations Shanela conducted at all the Districts of Limpopo Province have gained momentum, resulting in the arrest of 845 suspects for various offences which include murder, rape, burglaries, robberies, malicious damage to properties, possession of drugs, possession of gold bearing material, contravention of immigration act. The integrated operations commenced on the 11th to the 17th November 2024, with the forces of Operation Shanela saturating communities, including identified crime hotspots and places of entertainment.

These operations were conducted by, members of SAPS, SANDF, Government Departments, private security and other stakeholders with similar mandate of fighting against crime. They were executed through roadblocks, stop and searches, and tracing of wanted suspects.

About 44 suspects were nabbed for possession of drugs and 30 for malicious damage to property. Meanwhile, the multidisciplinary teams also recovered one (01) commercial explosive, five (05) firearms, twenty nine (29) dangerous weapons, three (03) stolen or hijacked motor vehicles, 2,722 kilograms of Dagga, 10 grams of Heroin and 16,38 grams of Nyaope (Whoonga/Wunga) drugs.

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, stressed the need for partnership policing which resulted in significant strides in the fight against crime.

“We welcome the arrests and appreciate the community police relations that is evident in our concerted fight against crime. It is through community participation and all our stakeholders that we continue to make our presence felt in our respective areas. This partnership will continue beyond the festive season due to its impact,” said Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe.

Some of the arrested suspects have started to appear before their local Magistrate’s Court across the province.