A total of 1 568 suspects, including 531 undocumented persons, were arrested during the latest high-density deployment under Operation Shanela II conducted across the Free State.

The integrated operation, which involved various law enforcement agencies and government departments, targeted crime hotspots and areas of concern throughout the province.

According to Free State SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane, the operation brought together members of the South African Police Service, the Department of Home Affairs, Department of Labour, Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport, the South African Revenue Service, as well as Mangaung Metro Municipality Law Enforcement.

“Operation Shanela II will continue to be carried out in identified crime hotspot areas and areas of concern across all Free State districts as part of our ongoing efforts to combat crime and ensure safer communities,” said Covane.

During the operation, officers conducted 1 015 high-visibility patrols, 541 vehicle checkpoints and 21 roadblocks.

Compliance inspections were also carried out at 1 044 licensed liquor outlets, while 50 scrapyards and recycling businesses were inspected. A further 559 spaza shops and informal businesses were visited to ensure compliance with labour legislation, and 2 868 farm visits were conducted in conjunction with officials from the Departments of Home Affairs and Labour.

Authorities confiscated 15 650 litres of alcoholic beverages, 520 packets of tobacco and more than 32kg of suspected stolen copper cable.

Police also seized 122 Mandrax tablets, 224g of Tik and 9.397kg of dagga during the operation.

The arrests and confiscations form part of the ongoing provincial crime prevention initiative aimed at disrupting criminal activities and enforcing compliance with legislation across the Free State.