Operation Shanela has continued to “make its mark in the fight against crime” according to police, who announced the arrests of 13 949 suspects in the past week.
“Through detectives and crime intelligence tracing operations, roadblocks as well as stop and searches, police have taken a bold and decisive approach in protecting the communities that they serve,” said the South African Police Service (SAPS) in a statement on Monday.
The suspects were apprehended during operations conducted from Monday, 26 August until Sunday, 01 September. During the week-long operations, 4 233 suspects were apprehended for crimes such as murder, rape, possession of illegal firearms and business robberies.
A total 280 suspects were arrested for rape, with 116 of them arrested in KwaZulu Natal (KZN).
Police further arrested 160 suspects for the illegal possession of firearms. The highest number of those arrested, 1 463 suspects, were held for assault with grievous bodily harm (GBH).
Meanwhile, 442 suspects were arrested for the illegal dealing in liquor and 145 drug dealers were arrested during this period. Among others, 82 illegal miners were arrested with 52 of these arrests being made in the Free State.
Successes made also include the confiscation of 164 firearms as well as the recovery of 52 hijacked and stolen vehicles. A total of 22 suspects were arrested for hijacking incidents, with nine arrested in Gauteng. Gauteng police arrested a suspect after the discovery of a cloned police vehicle, believed to have been used in a spate of truck hijackings and courier vehicle robberies in the Gauteng province.
Four extortionists were fatally wounded during a confrontation with police in Milnerton, Western Cape, and four others are under police guard in hospital. Officers seized five firearms at the scene. A total of 164 firearms were seized during operations, with 41 handguns recovered in KZN. Police also recovered over 2 600 rounds of ammunition.
“Police will continue with their operations in stamping the authority of the state to ensure the safety and security of all people living in South Africa,” said the SAPS.
