Picture: Some of the suspects arrested during Operation Shanela/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
More than 500 suspects were arrested for various crimes during Operation Safer Festive Season Shanela over the weekend. The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said the operation was conducted across the province.
Myburgh further said amongst others, 18 out of 579 suspects who were arrested, were for drug-related offenses. She added that 12 were for dealing in liquor, 27 for driving under the influence of liquor, two for possession of firearms and ammunition as well as 28 undocumented persons who were handed over to the Department of Home Affairs for further processing.
“Twenty suspects were arrested for murders, six attempted murders, five for robbery, 137 for assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), five for business robbery, 18 for burglaries, 26 for malicious property damage, three for rape and 62 for assault common.
“During the operations, five firearms with ammunition, six cellular phones as well as a variety of drugs, liquor, and 60kg precious metals were confiscated. Some of the suspects have already appeared before the courts, while others are expected to make their respective court appearances this week in various courts around the province,” she said.
Myburgh said during the operations, 47 premises were searched, eight roadblocks were held, 113 licensed liquor premises were inspected and 12 unlicensed liquor premises were closed down. She said, furthermore, 2402 persons and 1 077 vehicles were searched.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, said the police will continue to work hard together with other government departments to ensure the safety of the community, especially now that schools and tertiary institutions are closing down for summer holidays.
The Guardian 