By OBAKENG MAJE
More than 11000 suspects were arrested during Operation Shanela, which was conducted between 13 -19 May 2024. The police in North West said the operation yielded positive results after suspects were arrested for various crimes across the province.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said suspects were amongst others, arrested for rape, murder, assault GBH, malicious damage to property, burglary residential and business premises.
Funani said others were nabbed for possession of drugs, theft out of/from motor vehicle and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“Of the 1128 arrested suspects, 547 were wanted for contact crimes like murder, attempted murder, rape, assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) assault common, house robbery and business robbery, while 363 were held during detective suspect raiding operations.
“In addition, 73 suspected undocumented persons were taken in for processing. The arrests were effected during stop and searches, road blocks, patrols, vehicle check points, visiting and inspecting of licensed liquor premises, Second-hand goods dealers, tracing of wanted suspects and many others,” she said.
Funani further said the operations also culminated in the confiscation of a variety of drugs, dangerous weapons, 26 cell phones, copper cables, 84 ammunition, three firearms, liquor and one vehicle. She added that during the operations, four illegal liquor outlets/shebeens were shut down.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, praised the police and other role players, who were involved in the operations. Kwena also thanked them for all the time that they dedicated in making sure that the province is protected and safe.
TaungDailyNews 