Law enforcement agencies across Ekurhuleni delivered a decisive blow to criminal activities during a multi-faceted Operation Shanela II blitz.

With the Primrose community at the centre of the strategic rollout, high-visibility policing and intelligence-driven operations resulted in more than 300 suspects being taken into custody across the district on September 2 and September 3.

In Primrose, operational execution was placed under the direct command of Ekurhuleni District brigadiers Albertina Vesi, Ntombizini Thethe, and Nonhlanhla Shezi.

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Their coordinated leadership ran parallel to main operations led by District Commissioner Major General Anna Sithole in neighbouring Benoni, ensuring that Primrose received dedicated, high-level tactical oversight throughout the push.

School safety and youth protection formed a core pillar of the Primrose initiative.

Members of Social Crime Prevention, alongside key community stakeholders, conducted comprehensive safety searches at both Primrose High School and Hoërskool Goudrif.

Authorities confirmed that no illicit substances or dangerous items were discovered at either school, marking a reassuring victory for local educators and parents.

Addressing the root causes of crime required direct dialogue with residents, leading police to convene a targeted community imbizo at the Makause informal settlement in Primrose.

The forum allowed community members to voice pressing safety concerns, discuss policing challenges, and build stronger working relationships with local precinct commanders.

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The ground operations in Primrose were supported by groundwork from Ekurhuleni District Crime Intelligence, whose officers arrested two suspects — one for dealing in dagga and another for drug possession — while recovering a stash of narcotics and a stolen Community Policing Forum reflector jacket.

These local efforts contributed to massive district-wide enforcement figures.

Ekurhuleni District communications officer Captain Neldah Sekgobela said detectives tracing suspects across Ekurhuleni secured 218 arrests for serious offences, including contact crimes, property crimes, and gender-based violence.

Sekgobela said operational teams detained 78 undocumented immigrants, arrested 10 individuals for drug possession, and charged seven people for operating unlicensed liquor premises.

“Officers also issued four J534 notices for non-compliance with second-hand goods regulations, arrested one suspect for possession of stolen property, and issued 16 traffic fines amounting to R11 500,” she said.

“Seizures across the district yielded dangerous narcotics such as nyaope, crystal meth, and Mandrax tablets, alongside illicit cigarettes.

“Raids targeting illegal mining syndicates resulted in the confiscation of heavy equipment, including phendukas, iron balls, water pumps, oxygen cylinders, generators, welding machines, grinders, spades, fire hoses, and steel pots.”

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Reflecting on the successful two-day deployment, Sithole extended her gratitude to SAPS officers, participating law enforcement agencies, and community stakeholders, emphasising that sustained collaboration remains key to keeping communities like Primrose safe.