Over 1000 suspects arrested in Gauteng’s weekend crime blitz
From drunk driving to wanted suspects, Operation Shanela saw 1 032 arrests across Gauteng last weekend, as police continue their relentless drive against various criminal activities, recovering 21 illegal firearms.
The police have announced a significant blow to crime, with 1 032 suspects arrested across Gauteng during Operation Shanela over the weekend of June 20 to 22. Police also seized 21 unlicensed firearms, including powerful automatic rifles, as part of the ongoing province-wide crackdown.
The operation aimed to tackle various types of crime and was highly successful, resulting in a wave of arrests.
Among those arrested, 78 were caught driving under the influence of alcohol, while detectives specifically targeting wanted criminals apprehended 786 suspects.
The remaining arrests occurred at roadblocks and during raids on premises selling alcohol illegally.
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Gauteng’s Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, personally led an integrated Operation Shanela in the West Rand on Saturday evening. This operation alone resulted in 79 arrests, more than 20 of which were for drunk driving.
Similar operations ran concurrently in Tshwane, Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, and Sedibeng districts, yielding another 167 arrests.
The police are conducting these operations to fight crime, prevent the spread of illegal firearms, and make Gauteng safer for all residents.
By focusing on wanted criminals and illegal activities such as drunk driving, they aim to disrupt criminal networks and increase their presence in communities.
During the operations, 21 unlicensed firearms were seized, including dangerous automatic rifles.
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These weapons will undergo specialised testing to determine whether they have been used in other serious and violent crimes.
This process will assist police in linking the firearms to past incidents and advancing investigations.
The arrested suspects are expected to appear in various magistrates’ courts across Gauteng. Some individuals charged with less serious offences were released after paying fines.
