By REGINALD KANYANE
3 March 2025- Two men aged 36 and 38, were arrested by the police in Van Zylrus for possession of dagga worth R19 000 during Operation Shanela. This comes after the police confiscated the bags of dagga from a VW Polo during a vehicle check point over the weekend.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Kock said the Operation Shanela remains focused and continues to stamp down the authority of the state during the weekly multidisciplinary police actions, which commenced on 24 February 2025 until 2 March 2025.
“The initiative was executed in the five districts. These disruptive actions resulted in the arrest of 256 persons and wanted suspects as well as the confiscation of numerous weapons, drugs, alcohol, livestock and other items. Operation Shanela is in full swing across the province with high-density operations that includes roadblocks, stop and searches, the tracking and tracing of wanted suspects and heightened police visibility aimed at preventing and combating serious and violent crimes during the disruptive actions.
“Numerous vehicle check points (VCPs) and roadblocks were conducted across the province, during which a total of 2968 vehicles and 7128 persons were stopped and searched. Compliance inspections at second-hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, as well as farms were conducted as well as several community awareness campaigns,” he said.
Kock further said operational successes achieved, included the arrest of suspects for murder, attempted murder, assault, burglary, illegal dealing in liquor, illegal firearms and ammunition, theft off or out of motor vehicle, malicious damage to property and driving under the influence of alcohol. He added that, this includes robbery, rape, possession of dangerous weapons, dealing in and possession of drugs, illegal immigrants, stock theft and other crimes.
“The police confiscated large volumes of alcoholic beverages, drugs, dangerous weapons, fuel, copper, and cash that is believed to be the proceeds of crime,” said Kock.
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. Otola also reiterated that no one will be left behind when it comes to fighting crime as it involves the robust involvement and support of community structures and external role players.
“We urge everyone to be alert and vigilant and report any suspicious criminal activity immediately to the police using the SAPS 08600 10111 number or the MySAPS app to continue to assist the police in fighting crime,” she said.
The Guardian 