A total of 1 509 suspects were arrested across the North West during two weeks of high-density police operations as part of Operation Shanela 2.

The multidisciplinary operations were conducted between Monday, August 31 and Sunday, September 13, targeting various crimes and focusing on strengthening police visibility and the authority of the State.

According to Colonel Adéle Myburgh, the operations included stop-and-searches, roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, high-visibility and foot patrols, as well as the tracing of wanted suspects.

Police also inspected 179 liquor outlets and 70 second-hand goods premises during the operations.

A total of 171 premises, 2 756 people and 1 324 vehicles were searched.

Among those arrested were 41 suspects for murder, 18 for robbery, 81 for rape and 492 for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH).

A further 95 suspects were arrested for common assault, 61 for business and residential burglaries, 117 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and 125 for contravening the Immigration Act.

Police also arrested 38 suspects for the illegal dealing in liquor, 16 for dealing in drugs and 262 for possession of drugs.

Of the 1 509 arrests, 870 were wanted suspects who were traced and apprehended by detectives after being linked to crimes through forensic DNA evidence and other investigative leads.

During the operations, police confiscated various drugs, tobacco products and liquor, as well as 468kg of copper, explosives, nine handguns, two rifles, one shotgun and one homemade firearm.

Four vehicles were also confiscated.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, commended police members for their continued efforts during the operations.

Naidoo said Operation Shanela 2 was continuing to produce tangible results in the fight against crime.

He also thanked communities for their cooperation, saying information and support from residents remained critical in creating a safer environment across the province.

Myburgh said the operations would continue to form part of the police’s efforts to deal with crime through high-density, multidisciplinary operations across the North West.