Police arrested 1,015 suspects across the Free State during the latest phase of Operation Shanela II, with detectives also tracking down 308 wanted suspects during targeted tracing operations.

The week-long high-density operation, conducted by multidisciplinary law enforcement teams, focused on crime hotspots and areas identified as priorities across the province.

Among those arrested during the tracing operations were 22 suspects wanted in connection with rape cases and 10 for sexual offences. Detectives also apprehended seven suspects wanted for murder, 11 for attempted murder, and 67 for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The suspects are expected to appear in various courts.

As part of the operation, police carried out 5,350 high-visibility patrols and conducted 13,227 stop-and-search operations. Officers also inspected 645 licensed liquor premises, carried out compliance inspections at 147 second-hand goods dealers and 56 scrapyards or recycling facilities, and visited 76 spaza shops and informal businesses.

In addition, 2,831 farm visits were conducted in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Labour.

Police also seized 703 grams of tik (crystal methamphetamine) and 59 Mandrax tablets during the operation. Other confiscated items included 950.68 litres of alcoholic beverages, 108 packets of tobacco products and 305 kilograms of suspected stolen copper cable.

The South African Police Service said Operation Shanela II will continue with further high-density deployments in identified crime hotspots across the Free State as part of ongoing efforts to combat crime and apprehend wanted suspects.