Cops make 76 arrests during ‘Shanela’

Shanela is the latest in a series of operations formed to clamp down on crime in the Newcastle area.

Violence erupted in the Central Business District and surrounding areas earlier this month, with rival associations coming to blows. Commuters feared for their lives as vehicles they were travelling in were damaged and the roads barricaded.

As a result, police launched an advanced initiative and joined forces with law enforcement officers from units based in Durban, Ladysmith and Newcastle.

Routines searches, roadblocks and visible policing were the order of the day in Madadeni, oSizweni, Newcastle, Utrecht and Dannhauser.

The results of the initiative, as supplied by Newcastle SAPS, are as follows:

– 76 Arrests were made for offences relating to public violence, armed robbery, possession of dagga, murder and possession of unlicensed firearms.

– 76 Vehicles were impounded after it was discovered the drivers were operating without permits.

– 74 Traffic fines were issued.

– Two stolen vehicles were recovered.

In addition, a shotgun, pistols, magazines and ammunition were recovered from several suspects and residences.

The perpetrators who were nabbed during the operation are currently in the process of applying for bail.

Capt Shooz Magudulela, police spokesperson, commended officers on a job well done, and said police would continue to maintain order within the Newcastle cluster.

“It seems police [are] working on closing the gap on movement within the rank of illegal taxis,” he concluded.