Picture: Some of confiscated items/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
9 December 2024- More than 1299 suspects were arrested for various offences during Operation Shanela. The campaign that forms part of the safer festive season operations, was conducted between 2 until 8 December 2024.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh said the actions executed during the operations resulted in the apprehension of 1 299 suspects in the province, of which 617 were arrested by Detectives during suspect raiding operations.
Myburgh said police, supported by other law enforcement agencies, executed a total of 5 399 actions that included amongst others the inspection of 56 licensed liquor premises.
She further said this includes 77 second hand dealers, compliance inspections of Firearms Institutions (non-official and official institutions), 745 inspections at hospitality and retail shops, 84 informal businesses to ensure labour law compliance as well as farms and mines.
Myburgh added that in the province, a further 292 premises, 1 677 persons and 702 vehicles were searched and ten roadblocks were held.
“The arrests were among those effected by Detectives includes 17 for murder, 46 for rape and 236 for assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH). Other arrests affected included four for illegal possession of a firearm, five for illegal possession of ammunition and two for possession of a dangerous weapon.
“Eleven for dealing in drugs, 17 for illegal dealing in liquor, 152 for possession of drugs, seven for burglary at business premises, 17 for burglary at residential premises, 38 for malicious damage to property, 46 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, 39 for being illegal immigrants and 87 for illicit mining,” she said.
Myburgh said the items that were confiscated are a variety of drugs, tobacco products, 10kg of copper cables, 121 rounds of ammunition, three firearms, one rifle and three vehicles. She said in Lichtenburg, the police and health inspectors from the Department of Health, visited businesses in town and Boikhutso Township respectively on 3 December 2024, and confiscated numerous expired goods.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the police officers working together with other law enforcement agencies, including Traffic and Home Affairs, to ensure that suspects are brought to book as part of asserting the authority of the state.
The Guardian 