Picture: The police conducted stop and search during Operation Shanela/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Northern Cape police said the multi-disciplinary high density, Operation Shanela, remains steadfast and intentional in stabilizing crime. Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said the intensified police operations commenced on 18 until 21 January 2024 with a specific focus on the reduction of contact and violent crimes in hotspot areas, which ensured a multitude of successes.
Kock said the actions and police activities executed during the operations include, Vehicle Check Points (VCPs), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, drugs and other commodities smuggling and tracing operations by detectives.
“The VCPs and several roadblocks, were conducted across the province during which 2197 vehicles and 6171 persons were stopped and searched. The police actions executed included compliance inspections at second-hand dealers, firearm dealers, liquor premises, formal and informal businesses, mines as well as farms.
“More than 300 suspects were apprehended and arrested for an array of 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, illegal immigrants as well as contravention of the second hand goods act,” he said.
Kock further said of the 309 total arrests, 154 were wanted suspects, who have been on the run from the police for numerous offences were arrested during tracing operations by detectives across the province during the period 12 to 18 January 2024. He added that, the police actions also resulted in the confiscation large volumes of alcoholic beverages and numerous dangerous weapons at illegal shebeens and other hot spot crime areas.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Kholiswa Otola, reiterated that no stone would be left unturned in ensuring that together they squeeze the space for criminals to operate. Otola also encouraged the women and men in blue, communities as well as all external stakeholders to join hands and ensure a safe and secure province.
The Guardian 