By OBAKENG MAJE
More than 600 suspects were arrested for various crimes during Operation Shanela across the Northern Cape. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said 676 suspects were apprehended for crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder, robbery, assault and stock theft.
Kock said this includes burglary, theft out of motor vehicles, malicious damage to property, dealing and possession of drugs, dangerous weapons, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
He further said some of the suspects were arrested for illegal dealing in liquor, illegal immigrants as well as contravention of the Second Hand Goods Act. Kock added that, of 676 total arrests, 585 were wanted suspects, who have been on the run from the police for numerous offences.
“The arrests were executed during tracing operations by detectives across the province. Disruptive actions focusing on the illegal trading in liquor, resulted in the confiscation of large volumes of alcoholic beverages and numerous dangerous weapons at illegal liquor outlets and other hot spot crime areas.
“The multi-disciplinary high density operation remains steadfast and intentional in stabilizing crime. The intensified police operations commenced from 3 until 10 March 2024, with a specific focus on the reduction of contact and violent crimes in hotspot areas, which ensured the multitude of successes,” he said.
Kock said actions and police activities executed during the operations included, Vehicle Check Points (VCPs), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, drugs and other commodities smuggling and tracing operations by detectives. He said 48 VCPs and several roadblocks were conducted across the province during which 2711 vehicles and 5672 persons were stopped and searched.
“Numerous police actions were executed, including compliance inspections at second-hand dealers, firearm dealers, liquor premises, formal and informal businesses, school visits as well as farms,” said Kock.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, reiterated that the police will continue to robustly and vigorously prevent and combat crime. Otola also commended all the law enforcement agencies and stakeholders, including the Community Policing Forum (CPF) structures for the concerted efforts in addressing crime in the province.
The Guardian 