Lentswe, Klerksdorp - The weekly high density Operation Shanela which was conducted between April 18 and 21, resulted in the arrest of 843 suspects for various crimes. “The suspects were amongst others, arrested for rape, murder, assault GBH, malicious damage to property, burglary residential and business premises, possession of drugs, theft out of / from motor vehicle and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Of the 843 arrested suspects, 335 were wanted for contact crimes like murder, attempted murder, rape, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, assault common, house robbery and business robbery while 363 were held during Detectives suspect raiding operations. Additionally, 59 suspected undocumented persons were taken in for processing,” explained Lt-Col Amanda Funani, police spokesperson.
The arrests were effected through execution of several actions, which included stop and searches, road blocks, vehicle check points, visiting and inspecting of licensed liquor premises, Secondhand goods dealers, tracing of wanted suspects and many others. The operations also culminated in the confiscation of a variety of drugs, dangerous weapons, 13 cell phones, copper cables, 6 live rounds of ammunition, three firearms, liquor and three vehicles. During the operations, 13 illegal liquor outlets or shebeens were shut down.
“In Mahikeng, a cordon and search operation conducted at the Bradford Park taxi rank on Friday
April 19, 42 suspects were apprehended for possession of drugs, selling liquor without licences, possession of dangerous weapon, possession of illicit cigarettes, possession of suspected stolen
property, assault GBH, assault common, rape, malicious damage to property and burglary business and residential.”
The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, commended all the units and
other role players and reiterated that those who commit crimes will not be spared.
