Operation Shanela targets rising crime in Nigel

Law enforcement agencies in Nigel joined forces on September 4 for Operation Shanela, a coordinated effort involving Nigel SAPS, community policing, patrollers, Vispol, immigration authorities, traffic authorities, and other key role players.

SAPS Ekurhuleni District Commissioner Major General Anna Sithole joined the operation with various other senior management of the SAPS.

There were two roadblocks held on the day, which included the operation in Nigel and a second in the Bedfordview area.

Sithole explained to the Heraut the reason behind the operations.

“There is currently an uprising in criminal activities in the Ekhuruleni area in the last two months that includes assault, malicious damage to property, theft, house and business robberies, and truck hijackings,” said Sithole.

“We want to eradicate crime in the areas and show that we as SAPS are here to get the community to feel safer in their own neighbourhoods. We do need community members as our ears on the ground and to get that right we need to change mindsets. To change mindsets we need to show that we are serious about crime and stopping it in its tracks”.

Part of the operation saw vehicles being searched.

The law enforcement officials conducted searches for stolen property, illegal and unregistered firearms, illegal immigrants, drugs/ narcotics, warrants of arrests, and unpaid traffic, among others.

Searches were also carried out on persons. A PVS system was also on site where each adult occupant in a vehicle had their fingerprints taken to pick up any outstanding warrants of arrests.

While Heraut was on site, there were already various arrests made for different offences. Each arrested individual will be changed.

“In the future, more operations will be conducted in various areas and districts in Ekhuruleni in an attempt to change the crime trends and mindsets of the communities” concluded Sithole.