Operation Shanela arrests 997 in seven days
About 1 850 individuals and 1 151 vehicles were searched on Thursday in Lyttelton, which led to the recovery of a stolen white Nissan Bakkie that was reported in Tshakane in 2015.
Just like the heavy winds, Operation Shanela swept throughout the metro during the week of September 17-23.
Various law-enforcement agencies executed seven multidisciplinary operations throughout the week resulting in hundreds of arrests and seizure of illicit goods.
– The first operation kicked off on Sunday (September 17) in Themba where eight undocumented immigrants and five public drinkers were arrested.
Ten liquor outlets were inspected resulting in four being closed down.
Approximately 71 682ml of liquor were confiscated and authorities searched 105 individuals and 56 vehicles during this operation.
– On Monday (September 18) Bronkhorstspruit and Ekangala SAPS conducted a combined operation within their areas.
Seventeen undocumented immigrants and two suspects were arrested for selling illicit cigarettes when five cartons of the product were found in their possession.
Four liquor outlets were closed down for selling liquor without a licence and 805ml of liquor was confiscated.
Authorities searched 248 individuals and 81 vehicles.
“On Monday (September 18) Pretoria-Moot police officers were on patrol when they noticed a suspect motor vehicle. A passenger jumped out and ran so the officers gave chase and arrested him.”
A firearm with the serial number filed off and eight rounds were found in his possession.
“The suspect was charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm,” said the Tshwane police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk.
– The third operation picked back up on Tuesday (September 20) when Lyttelton SAPS inspected liquor outlets and second-hand goods dealers to enforce the liquor and secondhand goods acts.
Three inspections were carried out at second-hand goods dealers, resulting in fines totalling R2 500 being issued for non-compliance.
Three visits to liquor outlets were conducted, leading to the closure of all three shebeens and the confiscation of 65 000ml of liquor.
– Lyttelton police continued the operation on Thursday (September 21) within the precinct where 91 undocumented immigrants and two individuals in possession of drugs were arrested.
A total of 186 Aarto infringement notices totalling R77 650 were issued during a roadblock.
About 1 850 individuals and 1 151 vehicles were searched which led to the recovery of a white Nissan bakkie reported stolen in Tsakane in 2015.
A liquor outlet was inspected, shut down and 19 500ml of liquor confiscated when it was found to be non-compliant.
Four businesses were inspected by the Department of Labour and four contravention notices were issued to the owners for non-compliance with labour regulations.
“Concurrently, detectives from various police stations in the city apprehended 305 suspects wanted for various crimes, including 67 for gender-based violence,” Van Dyk continued.
Brooklyn SAPS also conducted an operation which led to the arrests of three undocumented immigrants, four for drinking in public and two for illegal gambling.
Eighteen businesses, which included 11 liquor outlets, were inspected resulting in four being charged for contravening the Liquor Act.
One rape suspect was also traced and arrested.
– On Friday (September 22), a liquor and secondhand goods operation was conducted by the Cullinan and Boschkop SAPS in their precincts.
Four liquor premises were inspected and all closed down with 34 250ml of liquor being confiscated for contravention of the Liquor Act. One of the outlets was charged for also violating the Gambling Act.
Six second-hand goods shops were inspected, and four were fined for failing to comply with the act.
– The week-long effort concluded on Saturday (September 23) within the Boschkop and Cullinan police areas.
A total of 283 suspects were arrested for various crimes, including 11 for driving under the influence of alcohol, 13 undocumented immigrants, 27 for public drinking, and one for drug possession.
Detectives arrested 231 suspects. Sixteen liquor outlets were inspected resulting in seven being closed down and the confiscation of 113 019ml of liquor.
This operation searched 1 090 individuals and 771 vehicles, as well as discontinued two vehicles for being unroadworthy.
Two suspects were arrested at a soccer event on Saturday night in Atteridgeville for the possession of suspected stolen property.
“One was arrested for obstruction and assaulting a police officer and another for drunk driving,” Van Dyk stated.
“On Saturday (September 23) Pretoria-Moot officers conducted stop-and-search operations in their policing area.
Around 04:00, a vehicle was stopped and searched. When a firearm was found and the driver could not give a reasonable explanation for it being in his possession, he was arrested and charged with the possession of an unlicensed firearm. The firearm will undergo ballistic analysis to determine any potential involvement in other criminal activities.”
The stakeholders involved in the stop-and-searches included the home affairs, labour, correctional services and community safety departments, crime prevention wardens, Tracker, Gauteng traffic, Tshwane metro police, local councillors, CPF and various SAPS members from different units and stations within Tshwane.
A total of 3 416 individuals and 2 089 vehicles were searched and 132 undocumented immigrants arrested.
About 42 liquor outlets were inspected resulting in 15 closures for non-compliance with the Liquor Act and 304 256ml of liquor was confiscated and will be disposed of.
Nine secondhand shops were inspected and five fined for non-compliance.
The Department of Labour inspected four businesses and all were fined for non-compliance with labour regulations.
Tshwane police commissioner Major-General Azwinndini Nengovhela extended his sincere appreciation and congratulations to all members who participated in these operations.
All those arrested are expected to appear in the relevant courts in due course.
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