Picture: The suspected stolen Nissan NP200 discovered/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
More than 617 suspects were arrested during Operation Shanela, conducted across North West province on 2-6 November 2023. The suspects arrested were amongst others, for rape, murder, assault GBH, malicious damage to property, burglary of residential and business premises, theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle, theft out of/from motor vehicle, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Amanda Funani said, of the 617 arrested suspects, 181 were wanted for contact crimes like murder, attempted murder, rape, assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), assault common, house robbery and business robbery.
She further said, moreover, 65 undocumented persons were taken in for processing.
“The arrests were effected through execution of several actions, which included stop and searches, roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, visiting and inspecting of licensed liquor premises, second-hand goods dealers, tracing of wanted suspects, and many others.
“The operation also resulted in the confiscation of mandrax tablets, four dangerous weapons, three handguns, one rifle, 29 rounds of ammunition, 20 cellular phones, liquor and copper cables,” said Funani.
She added that, during Operation Shanela conducted in Mahikeng on 2 November 2023, a man (25) was arrested for being in possession of a suspected stolen vehicle.
“During this joint intelligence-led operation, police followed up on a tip-off about suspects possessing a suspected stolen vehicle. They immediately went to his home and a search was conducted.
“Subsequently, a white Nissan NP 200, which was reported hijacked at Mmabatho early October 2023, was seized as well as an empty 9mm magazine, nine rounds of rifle ammunition, and three shotgun ammunition were recovered,” said Funani.
She said the suspects, who were arrested during Operation Shanela, are expected to appear in different courts around the province today and Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the police for these successes and thanked the police for working hard to keep suspects behind bars in the province.
The Guardian 