Tag Archives: malicious damage to property

More than 800 suspects nabbed for various crimes during Operation Shanela 

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By OBAKENG MAJE 

More than 800 suspects have been arrested for various crimes during a weekly high density operation, Operation Shanela, which was conducted between 18 and 21 April 2024. The suspects were arrested amongst others, for rape, murder, assault Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), malicious damage to property, burglary residential and business premises. 

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Amanda Funani said this includes possession of drugs, theft out of/from motor vehicles and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 

Funani further said of the 843 arrested suspects, 335 were wanted for contact crimes like murder, attempted murder, rape, assault with intent to do GBH, assault common, house robbery and business robbery, while 363 were held during detectives’ suspect raiding operations.   

“In addition, 59 suspected undocumented persons were taken in for processing. The arrests were effected through execution of several actions, which included stop and searches, road blocks, vehicle check points, visiting and inspecting of licensed liquor premises. 

“The action includes raids at the second-hand goods dealers, tracing of wanted suspects and many others.  The operations also culminated in the confiscation of a variety of drugs, dangerous weapons, 13 cell phones, copper cables, six live rounds of ammunition, three firearms, liquor and three vehicles,” she said. 

Funani added that during the operations, 13 illegal liquor outlets or shebeens were shut down. 

She said in Mahikeng, a cordon and search operation was conducted at the Bradford Park Taxi Rank on 19 April 2024, where 42 suspects were apprehended for possession of drugs, selling liquor without licences, possession of dangerous weapon, possession of illicit cigarettes, possession of suspected stolen property, assault GBH, assault common, rape, malicious damage to property and burglary business and residential.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, commended all the units and other role players. Kwena reiterated that those who commit crimes will not be spared.

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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 man sentenced to 16 years imprisonment for murder, malicious damage to property

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A man (21) has been sentenced to 16 years imprisonment by the Northern Cape High Court sitting in Kimberley for murder, assault GBH, malicious damage to property, attempted arson and malicious damage to property. Wendell Swartz crime spree started on 23 September 2022, where he assaulted a man (29) with a panga in Koopmansfontein when attending a braai at a friend’s house.

Swartz then proceeded to smash all the windows of the vehicle belonging to his friend before fleeing the scene. On 22 March 2023, he set his parent’s house alight in Delportshoop.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said, Swartz then threw his sister and niece out the window, unfortunately he fled the scene while the police were assisting the two young girls.

Ehlers further said on 1 April 2023, Swartz slit the throat of a traditional healer (59), when she went to pray in the veld. She added that, the lifeless body of a traditional healer was discovered wrapped in a duvet the following day.

“The accused was arrested on 3 April 2023 at his parents’ home in Deportshoop. The community is encouraged to use the Rate-My-Service online survey to comment on the sterling work by the Delportshoop Detectives.

“The sentences will run concurrently. Swartz will serve 16 years imprisonment after pleading guilty to all charges,” said Ehlers.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended Detective Warrant Officer Jim Williams of the Deportshoop Detective Unit for securing the conviction against Swartz, who committed a spree of crimes between September 2022 and April 2023.

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