Picture: Police during Operation Shanela/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
More than 876 suspects were arrested for different crimes and 41 firearms confiscated. Operation Shanela commenced on 15 until 21 January 2024 across the North West. The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said amongst others, 37 arrests were made for drug-related offences, 15 for dealing in liquor, 29 for driving under the influence of liquor, 10 for possession of firearms and ammunition.
Myburgh said 177 arrests were for assault common and assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, 7 for murder, 7 for robbery at business and residential premises, 37 for burglaries, 20 for malicious damage to property and 19 for rape.
Furthermore, she said 64 suspected undocumented persons were handed over to the Department of Home Affairs for further processing.
Myburgh added that, out of 876 arrests, 206 were affected during detective suspect raiding operations.
“Some of the suspects have already appeared before the court, while others are expected to make their respective court appearances this week in various courts around the province.
“The operations also led to recoveries and confiscations of 41 firearms, 515 rounds of ammunition, 26 cellular phones, 4 vehicles, precious metals and a variety of drugs. Moreover, 59 premises were searched, 17 road blocks were held and 15 unlicensed liquor premises were closed down,” she said.
Myburgh said in one of the incidents in Klerksdorp in the early hours of Saturday morning (20 January 2024), Bereng Jacobs Thejane (41) was arrested at Terreblaché Street and handed over to the police by a community member for being in possession of suspected stolen property.
She said Thejane was caught red-handed with about 20m of copper cable in his possession. Myburgh said he appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 22 January 2024 and was remanded in custody until 1 February 2024.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, reiterated that police working together with other law enforcement agencies will continue to work hard to ensure that criminals are put behind bars.
The Guardian 