Police arrest 1 108 suspects across Mpumalanga
Mpumalanga police arrested 1 108 suspects and recovered firearms, ammunition, drugs, explosives and other contraband during the latest Operation Shanela II operations.
Police arrested 1 108 suspects for various offences during the latest Operation Shanela II across Mpumalanga between September 30 and October 4.
They conducted the weekly operations in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies as part of ongoing efforts to prevent and combat crime across the province.
Among those arrested were 24 suspects for murder, 13 for rape, 14 for aggravated robbery and 11 for the illicit possession of firearms.
A further 13 suspects were arrested for the illegal possession of ammunition, three for the illegal possession of explosives, 63 for possession of drugs and seven for dealing in drugs.
Police also arrested 123 undocumented or illegal migrants and 11 people for illicit mining.
Other arrests included 106 people for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, 183 for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH), 94 for common assault and 45 for malicious damage to property.
The operations also resulted in 13 arrests for residential burglary, six for theft out of motor vehicles, two for theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles, three for business robbery, six for robbery at residential premises and one for human trafficking.
Detectives continued with tracing operations targeting wanted suspects, resulting in a further 52 arrests. The wanted suspects included people sought in connection with murder, attempted murder, sexual offences, assault GBH, illegal possession of firearms and other serious offences.
Police recovered and confiscated 14 handguns and two shotguns, along with 506 rounds of ammunition.
Explosives recovered during the operations included two super blasting cartridges, two detonator cords and two connector fuses.
The teams also confiscated 1 538 counterfeit goods and contraband valued at about R702 565.In addition, 15l of liquor, six dangerous weapons and 3kg of copper or copper cables were seized after being suspected of being linked to criminal activities.
Four unlicensed liquor premises were also closed during the operations.
The provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Apaphia Modise, commended the members and all participating stakeholders for their continued efforts in confronting serious and violent crime.
“The results of these operations demonstrate the importance of sustained, intelligence-driven and high-density policing operations. We will continue to target those that are involved in any criminality and other serious crimes. We further welcome the continued co-operation. Our message is that there will be no safe haven for those who threaten the safety and security of the people,” said Modise.
