Police arrest 1 319 suspects in weekend operation
Mpumalanga Police arrested 1 319 suspects and recovered 23 firearms during Safer Festive Season Operation Shanela II between October 22 and 25.
ERMELO – Mpumalanga Police arrested 1 319 suspects and recovered 23 firearms during Safer Festive Season Operation Shanela II between October 22 and 25.
The multidisciplinary operation involved high-visibility patrols, roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, tracing of wanted suspects, stop-and-searches, premises searches, inspections and compliance operations.
The arrests included 17 for illegal possession of firearms, 14 for illegal possession of ammunition, 69 for possession of suspected drugs and seven for dealing in drugs.
Police also arrested 23 suspects for possession of gold-bearing material, 20 for rape, nine for murder, six for attempted murder, four for carjacking, 15 for aggravated robbery, 11 for robberies at businesses and five for robberies at residential premises.
A further 186 suspects were arrested for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, while 68 were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Eleven suspects were arrested for illicit mining, and 94 undocumented persons were also taken into custody.
Detectives arrested 30 suspects while tracing wanted persons. Other arrests were linked to offences including burglary, malicious damage to property, theft of motor vehicles, illegal dealing in liquor, possession of illegal cigarettes and counterfeit goods.
The operation resulted in the recovery of 23 firearms, including eight rifles, 13 handguns and two shotguns. Police also seized 137 rounds of ammunition.
Drug seizures included 2 131.34kg of dagga, 80.5g of suspected crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘tik’, 146.41g of suspected nyaope, ‘whoonga’ or ‘wunga’, and 27 suspected Mandrax tablets.
According to provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Thulisile Magagula, the arrested suspects appeared in various magistrate’s courts from October 26.
Provincial SAPS commissioner Lieutenant General Apaphia Modise commended members and all participating stakeholders for their continued commitment to combating crime and keeping communities safe.
She called on communities to continue working with the police by providing information about criminal activities and whereabouts of persons involved in crime. They can do so by calling their nearest police station or Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or via the MySAPS app.
