At least 51 people have been arrested and four illegal shebeens closed during Operation Shanela II in Alexandra.

The high‑visibility operation, led by Gauteng Provincial Commissioner of Police Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, together with senior SAPS management, was carried out on July 11. Police conducted roadblocks and vehicle searches along Vincent Tshabalala Road near 13th Avenue, and patrols within the community as they moved to stamp the authority of the state and intensify efforts to reduce crime in Alexandra.

Read more: SAPS Operation Shanela 2 targets crime in Alexandra

“We are here to ensure that we give a helping hand to the district commissioner, as well as the station commander,” Mthombeni said.

Police revealed that 24 motorists were arrested for drinking and driving, while 21 undocumented immigrants were also apprehended. A further four suspects were arrested for possession of drugs, and two suspects were arrested for tampering with essential infrastructure.

Police revealed that four liquor outlets were closed for contravening the Liquor Act, and one Toyota Quantum was impounded after it was found with a tampered engine number. “We picked up a kombi, which is a Quantum, of which the engine was tampered with. Our vehicle crime investigation unit will further do the probing thereof.”

Mthombeni noted that the police still have challenges with crime in different categories. “We still have challenges in terms of assault, which gave rise to attempted murder, and, of course, your car hijackings, house robberies, and business robberies. We are mindful of those statistics, hence you see we are here.”

Mthombeni said they started on Friday in Gauteng, arresting 717 suspects who were wanted by the police, including 137 suspects for gender‑based violence. Speaking on the issues of non‑compliant liquor outlets, he admitted that it is not possible for him to be in each and every liquor outlet to ensure compliance. “Each and every police station, we have police officers who are appointed to ensure that they do compliance within the policing precinct.”

Also read: Over 50 arrested in Alexandra during SAPS Operation Shanela II

Mthombeni said he issued a directive that each police station must have a database of licensed liquor outlets, and must frequently check if the outlets are compliant.

Furthermore, he acknowledged that the mushrooming of non‑compliant outlets also necessitates regular check‑ups, to ensure that they remain closed.

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