Over 900 arrested in last week’s Operation Shanela

Police arrested 947 suspects and recovered six illegal firearms during six operations throughout the metro last week.

The operation kicked off with a high-density operation in Loate On Sunday, February 11.

Police arrested two people for drinking in public and one for possession of illicit cigarettes.

Two liquor premises were inspected and subsequently closed, with 20 910 ml of liquor being confiscated for contravention of the liquor act.

On Monday, February 12, Silverton SAPS conducted an operation that resulted in nine undocumented immigrants being arrested.

Three premises were searched, which led to the recovery of a motor vehicle reported stolen in Mabopane in 2022.

On Wednesday, February 14, a compliance operation was conducted in Silverton and Eersterust. One suspect was arrested for possession of drugs. Three liquor outlets were inspected and all fined for non-compliance with the Liquor Act. Five second-hand goods premises were inspected and subsequently fined for failure to comply with the Second-hand Goods Act.

In the early hours of Thursday, February 15, operations were conducted in Eersterust and Silverton and 42 undocumented immigrants were arrested. Five suspects were arrested for possession of six small plastic bags of drugs.

One man was arrested for drug dealing when 14 Mandrax tablets were found in his possession.

Two suspects were arrested for possession of illicit cigarettes after 11 360 illegal cigarettes were found in their shop.

“Two people were arrested for possession of suspected stolen property when a handbag full of Sassa cards, seven cellphones and one tablet phone were found in their possession and they failed to give a reasonable explanation for how they acquired the items,” said Tshwane police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk.

One vehicle that had been reported stolen in Ivory Park in 2023 was recovered and the driver arrested.

Several premises were searched and nine liquor premises were searched, leading to the closure of two and the seizure of 15 000ml of liquor.

He said the Department of Labour inspected 18 businesses and issued 14 contravention of the Labour Act notices.

A roadblock conducted during the operation resulted in 185 Aarto infringement notices being issed totalling R67 950. The operation also involved searches of 875 individuals and 200 vehicles.

Detectives from various police stations in the city apprehended 307 suspects wanted for various crimes, including 87 for gender-based violence (GBV), two for murder, four for attempted murder, seven for armed robbery and two for rape.

On Friday, February 16, a liquor and second-hand goods compliance operation was conducted in Atteridgeville.

Four liquor premises were inspected and all four were closed down, and the owners were arrested for contravening the Liquor Act, with 387 260ml of liquor and an illegal gambling machine being confiscated.

Three second-hand goods premises were inspected, which resulted in the issuance of fines to all for non-compliance with the Second-hand Goods Act.

A crime prevention operation was also conducted in Soshanguve on February 16. Seven illegal immigrants and two other people were arrested for drinking in public.

One person found himself behind bars for possession of drugs, and two for dealing in drugs when 37 grams of drugs were found in their possession, while another suspect was booked for assault.

On Saturday, February 17, operations took place in Temba and Atteridgeville.

This led to the arrest of 280 people for various crimes, including 10 for driving under the influence of alcohol and two for possession of drugs.

Van Dyk said 32 undocumented immigrants were detained and will be deported once the legal processes have been finalised.

Detectives arrested 236 suspects on various charges, including 79 for GBV, four for murder, three for attempted murder and three for rape.

Van Dyk said 15 liquor outlets were inspected for compliance, resulting in five being closed down and the confiscation of 1 195 49ml of liquor and five gambling machines.

In total, 820 individuals and 265 vehicles were searched, and 148 Aarto infringement notices were issued to the value of R113 400 at the roadblock

Additionally, 90 undocumented immigrants were arrested, 10 other people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, 21 for drinking in public, eight for possession of drugs and three for dealing in drugs.

Three people found themselves behind bars for possession of 11 360 illegal cigarettes.

Law enforcement inspected 35 liquor outlets, shutting down 18 for non-compliance with the Liquor Act.

A total of 1 850 906ml of liquor was confiscated. These items will be disposed of once the criminal cases have been finalised.

He said 11 second-hand premises were inspected, with eight being fined for non-compliance with the Second-hand Goods Act.

“Several intelligence-driven operations were conducted in the past week resulting in the apprehension of five people for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition while two were arrested for dealing in drugs when 112 small bags of various narcotics were found in their possession,” Van Dyk said.

“All confiscated firearms will be sent for ballistic testing to determine if they were used in other criminal offences.”

Eersterust, Silverton and Atteridgeville police stations were also inspected this past week and mistakes in operations in various departments identified. Follow-up inspections will be conducted in due course to monitor remedial action.

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