The police have over the weekend arrested more 1090 suspects for different crimes of which 142 are for gender-based violence and crimes committed against children and vulnerable people.
The arrests are as a result of the persistent Operation Shanela which is conducted every weekend throughout the Gauteng Province with the aim of increasing police visibility and fighting criminal activities while stamping the authority of the State.
The operation is an integrated collaboration between SAPS and other law enforcement agencies such as Metro Police Department, Departments of Traffic, Home Affairs, Community Safety, private security companies, Community Police Forum and Community in Blue which started with the tracing of wanted suspects on Friday evening, 23 May 2025, whereby the detectives arrested 732 suspects who have been on the run after committing serious and violent crimes that include murder, rape, armed robbery, sexual assault and car hijacking.
In the second phase of Operation Shanela, police conducted roadblocks to ensure that there were no illegal goods and substances transported by road users and to search for stolen/hijacked vehicles. During these roadblocks police recovered drugs, a suspected stolen vehicle, rounds of ammunition and arrested more than 130 people for driving while under the influence of alcohol and 140 illegal immigrants.
Furthermore, police conducted liquor compliance inspections whereby several liquor outlets were closed and issued fines for contravening the Liquor Act.
The Provincial Commissioner of Gauteng, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni is pleased with the collaboration of law enforcement agencies and other government departments that are on a weekly basis joining forces of Operation Shanela in ensuring that people in Gauteng are and feel safe.
The arrested suspects will appear before different Magistrate’s Courts in due course, while others have already been released after paying fines.
The community is urged to continue assisting the police in the fight against crime by reporting any criminal activities on the Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or anonymously give tip-offs on MySAPS App which can be downloaded on any smartphone.
