By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
17 December 2024- Over 1200 suspects were nabbed during the High Density Operation Shanela. The weekly multidisciplinary operation, which commenced on 9 until 15 December 2024, focused on the enhancement of crime reduction and combatting within the North West.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel, Sam Tselanyane said the police actions executed during the operations included vehicle check points (VCPs), stops and searches, foot and vehicle patrols.
Tselanyane said this includes, compliance inspections at second hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, farms and mines.
“The prevention of drugs and other commodities smuggling were also prioritized. During the VCPs and roadblocks conducted across the province, a total of 1466 vehicles and 3415 persons were stopped and searched.
“As a result of these operations, among others, 141 suspects were arrested for assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), 19 for murder and attempted murder, 109 for illicit mining and contravention of the Immigration Act,” said Tselanyane.
He said 50 suspects were arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, 94 for possession of drugs and 69 for illegal dealing in liquor. Tselanyane said in the efforts to eradicate the proliferation of firearms, 10 firearms that included 3 handguns and 7 rifles were confiscated.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, expressed his gratitude to all law enforcement agencies for their endeavours in ensuring that there was a significant reduction in reported crime incidents in some areas where the operations were carried out.
The Guardian 