The multi-disciplinary Operation Shanela, conducted by the Tsakane SAPS, EMPD, and various stakeholders, including security companies, the Gauteng Traffic Police, environmental health, community patrollers, the Department of Home Affairs, and more, took place in the Tsakane and Sebenza areas on May 28.

Ekurhuleni district communications officer Captain Neldah Sekgobela stated that under the leadership of the district commissioner Major General Anna Sithole, law enforcement agencies arrested 79 suspects for various offences, impounded 28 vehicles without permits, issued 41 traffic fines to the value of R19 950, and confiscated two vehicles (a Toyota Conquest and a white Nissan); two suspects were nabbed for possession of illicit cigarettes and one suspect for selling liquor without a licence.

Sekgobela said that detectives across Ekurhuleni policing precincts, who also traced suspects during operations conducted on May 27, arrested 206 suspects, including 126 for contact crime, 12 for property crime, 63 for other serious crime, and 40 for gender-based violence.

“Members of SAPS crime intelligence managed to arrest one suspect for dealing in dagga, two for dealing in drugs and two for possession of drugs,” shared Sekgobela.

In parallel with the operation, she said that members of the social crime prevention unit visited Menzi Primary School in Langaville as part of Child Protection Month to address bullying and theft.

Sekgobela added that they also visited malls to enhance visibility and address crime there, distributing safety tip pamphlets to community members who visited.

“A community imbizo was conducted in the Tsakane area where issues related to crime were addressed,” she said.

Sithole applauded the teams for their relentless efforts in making a profound impact in fighting crime in the Ekurhuleni district, as well as community members for working hand in hand with the police.

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