Bronkhorstspruit and Cullinan see success for Operation Shanela
The operation was executed with co-ordination among various agencies, including the departments of home affairs and labour, Correctional Services, Community Safety, crime prevention wardens, Tracker, Gauteng Traffic, local councillors, CPFs, and SAPS members from various units and stations in the Tshwane policing district.
Operation Shanela took place in Tshwane on January 26 and 27.
The operation was executed with co-ordination among various agencies, including the departments of home affairs and labour, Correctional Services, Community Safety, crime prevention wardens, Tracker, Gauteng Traffic, local councillors, CPFs, and SAPS members from various units and stations in the Tshwane policing district.
The large-scale operation included liquor and second-hand goods compliance operations conducted in the Bronkhorstspruit and Cullinan areas.
Members from various police stations inspected second-hand goods premises and issued fines to the owners for non-compliance with the Second-Hand Goods Act.
Police spokesman Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk said officers arrested three people for possession of drugs after finding ziplock bags of nyaope and cash on them.
SAPS detained 115 undocumented immigrants who face deportation once the legal processes are complete.
Van Dyk said detectives arrested 228 suspects on various charges of crimes. They arrested 61 for offences against women, 17 for armed robbery, and five for rape.
Officers inspected 21 liquor outlets for compliance, resulting in the closure of four and confiscation of 13 000ml of liquor.
In total, 2 655 individuals and 1 693 vehicles underwent thorough searches at roadblocks, which saw the issuance of 256 Aarto fines totalling R 112 900.
Officers arrested 10 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol and 18 for drinking in public. They arrested people for possession of drugs, with two ziplock bags containing nyaope, and four for dealing in drugs after finding 15 ziplock bags containing various substances in their possession.
Four people found themselves behind bars for the possession of 13 180 illegal cigarettes.
These items will be disposed of once the criminal cases are complete.
Officers also recovered two unlicensed firearms with two magazines and 21 rounds.
The team inspected 18 second-hand premises, with all of them fined for non-compliance with the Second-Hand Goods Act.
Van Dyk said officers also arrested six suspects on January 24 and recovered two firearms after receiving information about the individuals responsible for an online robbery.
“Tracing the suspects led to the arrest of the criminals and the recovery of the guns. The suspects will be charged with armed robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms.”
Senior officers from Operation Shanela Support Services in the district inspected the Bronkhorstspruit and Cullinan police stations during the past week to enhance service delivery and ensure compliance with internal policies.
They inspected various departments at the station and identified mistakes for corrective measures, compliance, and implementing internal directives and policies.
“There will be follow-up inspections to monitor compliance and rectification of the irregularities found,” said Van Dyk.
The district commissioner of Tshwane, Major General Azwinndini Nengovhela, extended his appreciation to everyone who participated in these operations and contributed to the recovery of firearms.
