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More than 382 suspects nabbed for various crimes during Operation Shanela

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By OBAKENG MAJE 

More than 382 suspects were arrested for various crimes during Operation Shanela. The suspects were arrested for murder, attempted murder, rape robbery, assault, burglary, malicious damage to property, dealing and possession of drugs. 

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said, this includes illicit mining, possession of counterfeit goods, possession of suspected stolen stock, undocumented illegal immigrants, possession of precious metals, as well as illegal dealing in liquor that resulted in the closure of 10 liquor outlets.

Kock said 143 wanted suspects were traced and arrested by detectives for evading court appearances and contravening court orders.

“Operation Shanela is a weekly multi-disciplinary high density operation and commenced from 15 until 21 April 2024, with a focus on the reduction of contact and violent crimes in crime hotspots. Actions and police activities, executed during the disruptive actions.

“Activities include vehicle check points (VCPs), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, smuggling of drugs and other commodities. VCPs and roadblocks were conducted across the province during which 2270 vehicles and 4617 persons were stopped and searched,” he said.

Kock further said the police have executed several actions, which included numerous compliance inspections at second-hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, farms and mines.

He added that the police confiscated large volumes of alcoholic beverages and non-ferrous metal items during inspections. 

“The police also seized a large amount of drugs and cash believed to be the proceeds of drug dealing during different raids and operations across the province,” said Kock. 

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, indicated that the success of Operation Shanela is due to the support of various communities and the multi-disciplinary approach with several role players. Otola said they will unabatedly continue to combat any unlawful actions and ensure special care to victims of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV&F).

“The police invite the public to rate the police efforts in fighting contact crimes by participating in the “RATE OUR SERVICE” online survey to assist the police in improving services,” she said. 

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More than 216 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela 

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Picture: Some of the drugs confiscated by the police/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE 

More than 216 suspects were arrested for various crimes during Operation Shanela. The suspects were arrested for murder, attempted murder, rape robbery, assault, burglary, malicious damage to property, dealing and possession of drugs, illicit mining, possession of counterfeit goods, possession of suspected stolen stock, undocumented illegal immigrants, possession of precious metals, as well as illegal dealing in liquor. 

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said, this resulted in the closure of 10 liquor outlets. Sam said 871 daily wanted suspects were traced and arrested by detectives for evading court appearances and contravening court orders.

“Actions and police activities executed during Operation Shanela, which is a weekly multi-disciplinary high density operation. The operation commenced from 18 until 24 March 2024, with a focus on the reduction of contact and violent crimes in hotspots.

“The disruptive actions include Vehicle Check Points (VCPs), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, smuggling of drugs and other commodities. VCPs and roadblocks were conducted across the province during which 3244 vehicles and 5999 persons were stopped and searched,” he said.

Sam further said the police also confiscated large volumes of alcoholic beverages and non-ferrous metal items during inspections. He added that drugs valued at R10 000 were seized at a roadblock between Askham and Upington in the ZF Mgcawu District, as well as cash that is believed to be the proceeds of crime.

“Numerous compliance inspections at secondhand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, farms and mines were executed,” said Sam. 

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, indicated that the success of Operation Shanela, guarantees the human rights of the residents of Northern Cape. Otola said the police will combat any unlawful violence against its citizens and ensure special care to victims of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).

“We invite the public to rate the police efforts in fighting contact crimes by participating in the “RATE OUR SERVICE” online survey to assist the police in improving services,” she said. 

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A rapist sentenced to 11 life terms and 363 years imprisonment for committing slew of rapes

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Picture: The rape convict, Ontsheketse Tshabile/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

A rapist (43) has been sentenced to 11 life terms imprisonment by the North West High sitting in Klerksdorp for various rapes he committed. Johannes Ontsheketse Tshabile, also sentenced to 363 years for other serious charges that include nine charges of rape, attempted murder, theft, robbery with aggravating circumstances, robbery, attempted robbery, assault, assault with intent to commit grievous bodily harm, attempt to commit a sexual offence and sexual assault.

Tshabile, who was on the list of the most wanted criminals in the North West, pleaded not guilty to all 65 charges which the court found him guilty on.

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said Tshabile’s criminal activities took place in Wolmaransstad between December 2012 and May 2018. Myburgh said he accosted unsuspecting women on the streets.

“Tshabile would then drag them to nearby fields, threaten them with a knife, rob them of their belongings and rape them before fleeing the scene. In some instances, he would strangle, stab with a knife and assault with bricks and other objects before robbing and raping his victims.

“He would in some instances, accost couples and attack the male counterparts and assault them before robbing and raping their partners after they had fled the scene. Amongst his victims, were a girl (15) and an elderly woman (65), who endured the pain in his hands,” she said.

Myburgh further said it also emerged in court that, in some incidents, he was accompanied by an unknown accomplice who also committed similar offences with him. She added that, Tshabile was linked to the offences through DNA specimens.

“Tshabile was arrested in 2019 following an intensive police investigation and the court denied him bail. He also managed to escape from the Wolmaransstad Police Station, aided by a police officer. However, he was later re-arrested and the police officer was dismissed from duty and criminally charged.

“The matter is still pending in court. In aggravation of the sentence, Adv Riekie Krause, urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment, considering the emotional, physical, and psychological trauma suffered by the victims in the hands of Tshabile,” she said.

Krause urged the court to consider the Victim Impact Statements, wherein the victims describe their ordeal and the trauma they continue to suffer in their day-to-day lives, owing to the rape and assault incidents.

Judge Tebogo Djadje, agreed with the state and remarked on the responsibility the court has in protecting society against such perpetrators, particularly after they lived in fear for almost six years. She described Tshabile as remorseless and having no regard for women and children.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, together with the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, lauded the prosecutor, Sergeant Pule Morake from the South African Police Service (SAPS) for ensuring that the victims were afforded the justice they deserve.

They commended the role played by the Sexual Offences and Community Affairs (SOCA) for discharging their mandate of prioritising sexual offences cases and the Thuthuzela Care Center for providing the necessary support to the victims in preparation for trial.

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More than 369 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela

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Picture: The police conduct stop and search during Operation Shanela/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

More than 369 suspects were arrested during Operation Shanela for various crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, theft out of motor vehicle and illegal possession of firearms.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Timothy Sam said this includes illicit mining, malicious damage to property, dealing and possession of drugs, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs as well as undocumented illegal immigrants.

“The suspects were also apprehended for stock theft and illegal possession of ammunition. The 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.

“Several VCPs and roadblocks were conducted across the province during which a total of 3194 vehicles and 5657 persons were stopped and searched. Numerous compliance inspections at secondhand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, farms and mines were also executed,” he said.

Sam further said Operation Shanela is a weekly multi-disciplinary high density operation, which commenced on 25-28 January 2024 with a focus on the reduction of contact and violent crimes.

“More than 109 daily wanted suspects were also traced and brought to book for evading court appearances and contravention of court orders.

“The police confiscated large volumes of alcoholic beverages, drugs, non ferrous metal items and cash that is believed to be the proceeds of crime,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, expressed her gratitude to all law enforcement agencies for the collective efforts and actions executed during this period. She commended the community for their support and being whistle-blowers by reporting crime.

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Two men who were accused of killing former Vaaltar FM presenter and socialite, Tshepang Seelo not guilty!

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Picture: Two men, Tumelo Tlonkwe and Rebaone Malekanyo having lunch in Vryburg

By OBAKENG MAJE

The families of two men, Tumelo Tlonkwe (33) and Rebaone Malekanyo (34), who were accused of killing a former Vaaltar FM presenter and local socialite, Tshepang Seelo (32) back in 2021 said, they are relieved that the court did not find them guilty. Malekanyo and Tlonkwe from Modimong village, near Taung, were facing premeditated murder, assault, kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in the North West, Henry Mamothame, Seelo was allegedly killed on 31 October 2021, while walking from a local tavern with his girlfriend.

“The deceased allegedly saw the duo stealing roof sheets from a certain house and blew the whistle. Then the accused allegedly assaulted, kidnapped, and killed him before dumping his body in a furrow near Khibitswane village, near Taung.

“Seelo’s girlfriend allegedly ran away and escaped unharmed. The deceased’s lifeless body was found floating in a river on 3 November 2021. It is alleged that, his body was also mutilated and his eyes and tongue were missing,” said Mamothame.

He further said, the two men were arrested on 2 November 2021 after they handed themselves over to the police. Their case was transferred to the North West High Court sitting in Vryburg.

On 11 January 2024, Tlonkwe and Malekanyo were found not guilty by the North West High Court due to lack of sufficient evidence.

Meanwhile, Rebaone’s brother, Pacman Malekanyo said: “We are happy that, finally the justice system has acquitted our brothers and the truth has prevailed. This is what we have been saying that, our brothers are falsely accused in this matter.

“Unfortunately, our livelihoods have been severely affected in the process because our houses were torched by irked residents. We had to relocate our parents from their area of birth due to safety measures.”

Pacman said they will now shift their focus and ensure that, those perpetrators who torched their houses are being arrested and prosecuted. He said they will also have a consultative engagement with their lawyers to look into a civil case against the state.

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