By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
16 June 2025- The police in the Northern Cape said they will continue to focus on priority crimes during targeted crime prevention operations. The police said following the release of the 4th quarter crime statistics for 2024/2025 on 10 June 2025, Operation Shanela has bolstered efforts to address priority crimes across all five districts in the province.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said a multi-disciplinary approach led by District Police Commissioners, entailed high visibility patrols, stop and search actions, roadblocks and Vehicle Check Points (VCPs), as well as the tracing of wanted suspects led to the arrests between 9 and 15 June 2025. Ehlers said it has been established that alcohol abuse is a leading contributor in the commission of crimes, especially contact crimes.
“The teams inspected numerous liquor outlets for non-compliance to ensure perpetrators face the full might of the law, this led to the closure of several unlicensed establishments. Through high visibility actions, vehicle and foot patrols and stop and search actions, 2 825 vehicles and 5 011 persons were stopped and searched at Vehicle Check Points (VCPs) and roadblocks conducted across the province.
“The adherence to road traffic regulations was also addressed during these actions. Suspects were arrested for serious crimes including murder, rape, burglary, assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm and drug related offences. Detectives also conducted tracing operations in search of wanted suspects who failed to make court appearances or for whom warrants of arrests were issued,” she said.
Ehlers further said compliance inspections were conducted at numerous second-hand dealers and liquor premises as well as formal and informal businesses, farms, scrapyards. She added that, during the execution of the operations, police confiscated a significant amount of alcohol, ammunition and firearms, dangerous weapons, drugs and a stolen vehicle.
“Various community engagements and awareness programmes were held in conjunction with community policing structures and government departments to address current issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) and child protection,” said Ehlers.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, expressed sincere appreciation for the strong collaboration between various government departments and community structures in the successful execution of recent operations. Otola also extended heartfelt thanks to members of the public for their ongoing support and active participation in the fight against crime, emphasizing that such partnerships are vital in creating safer and more resilient communities.
The Guardian 