The West Rand was among the key areas targeted during Gauteng’s Operation Shanela 2, with 27 suspects arrested in Kagiso as police made more than 800 arrests across the province during the operation conducted on January 24.

According to Gauteng Provincial Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, the operation also led to the arrest of 20 suspects in Sharpeville in the Sedibeng District.

A further 18 suspects were arrested in Alexandra in the Johannesburg District, while 15 suspects were arrested in Loate in the Tshwane District and Vosloorus in the Ekurhuleni District.

“The operation started with the tracing of suspects who had been on the run after committing serious and violent crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape, car hijacking, armed robbery and house robbery,” said Masondo.

He added that a total of 813 suspects were successfully traced and arrested during the province-wide operation.

Masondo concluded that the suspects are expected to appear before various magistrates’ courts across Gauteng from January 26.