Monday, February 17, 2025

FIRST WITH SECURITY NEWS

Nearly 13 000 suspects nabbed in week-long Shanela operations

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The South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested 12 819 suspects during its Operation Shanela crime-fighting initiative over the last week (Monday 14 October to Sunday 20 October).

Arrests nabbed the following over the last week:
1 969 wanted suspects were arrested;
144 suspects were arrested for murder;
136 suspects were arrested for attempted murder;
229 suspects were arrested for rape, 25 more arrests than the previous week;
1 581 suspects were arrested for assault;
212 drug dealers were arrested, 59 more arrests than the previous period;
1 308 suspects were arrested for being in possession of drugs, half of them in the Western Cape;
114 suspects were arrested for being in the illegal possession of firearms;
550 suspects were arrested for the illegal dealing in liquor;
407 drivers were arrested for drunk and driving.

Under recoveries and confiscations, police confiscated 138 firearms in the past week, along with 2 295 rounds of ammunition. A total of 57 hijacked and stolen vehicles were also recovered.

Two more suspects related to Sergeant Rachel Shokane Kutumela were arrested for their role in the murder of six people for insurance claims. The pair was arrested by the SAPS Limpopo tracking team in Mabokelele village on 17 October.

The SAPS believes it recovered four high calibre firearms used in the killing of eighteen people in Lusikisiki last month. The firearms were recovered on 17 October and two suspects were arrested.

Police intercepted 10 kilograms of rhino horn pieces at OR Tambo International Airport at the cargo shipment warehouse area. These rhino horn pieces were destined for China. No arrests were made and investigations are still underway.

Another highlight of the week was the SAPS welcoming 1 013 new constables within its SAPS ranks. The cohort of new constables that had their passing out parade on 18 October 2024 in the Western Cape commenced with their training in February 2024.

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