It was a successful weekend for police during their continued Operation Shanela efforts in North-West with 424 suspects being arrested for various crimes.
In Potchefstroom on Friday, 14 July, during a roadblock on the N12, fines were issued to the amount of R 37 000 in total to motorists for various Road Traffic Act related offences.
Potchefstroom Police Station and Provincial Office’ support services personnel, jointly with Provincial and Local Traffic officers were present at the road block.
“170 vehicles and close to 500 passengers were searched. 12 Compliance inspections were done at scrap yard premises and six at cellular phone shops. Moreover a total of 9 arrests were made for various offences in Potch,” added NW police spokesperson, Col. Adele Myburgh.
A total of 15 roadblocks were held throughout the province, 249 premises, 3899 persons, 419 vehicles, 41 Second Hand Goods premises were searched.
“Three suspects were arrested for being found in possession of suspected stolen property at two different shops after two stolen HP computers were found in their respective shops. The first computer was stolen during a house breaking and theft case reported in Potchefstroom on Tuesday, 3 February 2015. The 22-year-old victim allegedly left his house in Hoffman street and on his return, his computer was stolen,” explained Myburgh.
A total of 424 suspects were arrested during operations in various parts of the province between Thursday, 13 July and Sunday, 16 July.
These crimes include:
- Eight for murder,
- Nine for rape,
- Seven for car-jacking,
- 21 for illegal dealing in liquor,
- 32 for assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm,
- 23 for assault common,
- 34 for driving under the influence of liquor,
- 11 for robbery at business premises,
- 47 illegal immigrants,
- Five for burglary,
- Five for illegal possession of ammunition,
- Five for illegal possession of drugs
- Four for illegal possession of firearms.
During Operation Shanela the following seizures were made:
Liquor: 688 lt
Ammunition: 75 rounds
Dagga: 481,87 kg
Cocaine: 50gr
Crystal Meth (tik): 111,3 gr
Ecstasy: 10 tablets
Mandrax: 35 tablets
Handguns:13
Shotgun: 1
Vehicles: 3
The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena thanked all members for their continued support to decisively deal with criminality in the province.
