By OBAKENG MAJE
More than 350 suspects were arrested during Operation Shanela, which is a multi-disciplinary high density operation that commenced on 6-12 May 20224. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said the Operation Shanela remains intentional and focused on the reduction of contact and violent crimes in crime hotspots, which netted a multitude of successes and arrested.
Sam said actions and police activities executed during the operations included vehicle check points (VCPs), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, drugs and other commodities smuggling. He further said several VCPs and roadblocks were conducted across the province.
“A total of 2243 vehicles and 5168 persons were stopped and searched. More than 1345 compliance inspections were executed at second-hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, as well as on farms.
“Operational successes achieved, included the arrest of 246 suspects for attempted murder, assault, burglary, illegal possession of firearm, malicious damage to property, illegal dealing in liquor, possession of dangerous weapons, dealing in and possession of drugs, illicit mining, stock theft, as well as undocumented illegal immigrants,” he said.
Sam further said the police in Springbok successfully arrested 2 suspects for possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition and confiscated the vehicle they were traveling with. He added that this comes after the police received a tip-off from the public regarding a suspicious vehicle parked at a shopping complex.
“More than 110 wanted suspects were traced and brought to book for evading court appearances and contravention of court orders.
“The police also confiscated large volumes of alcoholic beverages, drugs, dangerous weapons, diamonds and cash that is believed to be the proceeds of crime,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, expressed her gratitude to all law enforcement agencies for their continued collaborative efforts in clamping down on crime. Otola thanked the community for their support and sharing information with the police.
TaungDailyNews 