Gauteng police arrest more than 190 wanted suspects during Operation Shanela II

The police in Gauteng have arrested 196 wanted suspects for crimes committed against women and children as part of ongoing efforts to combat gender-based violence and related offences across the province.

According to a police statement, the arrests were made during an overnight suspect-tracing operation that formed part of the first phase of Operation Shanela II.

During this phase, detectives also arrested a further 600 wanted suspects linked to a range of serious and violent crimes, including murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, rape and other sexual offences.

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The second phase of the operation, focusing on visible policing and crime prevention, is currently underway across Gauteng’s five districts.

The operation is led by Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, together with district commissioners.

This phase of the operation has resulted in the arrest of an additional 267 suspects. Of these, 108 were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, 79 for being illegal immigrants, 29 for possession of drugs and nine for contravening the Gauteng Liquor Act, among other offences.

Police confirmed the arrests were made during co-ordinated roadblocks, stop-and-search operations and liquor compliance inspections across the province.

While some suspects were released after paying admission of guilt fines, others are expected to appear in various magistrates’ courts across Gauteng from June 1.