In an effort to address gender-based violence-related crimes, police arrested 157 wanted suspects in Gauteng for crimes committed against women and children.

Gauteng SAPS spokesperson, Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, explained, “The arrests were made during an overnight suspect tracing, which is the first phase of Safer Festive Season Operation Shanela.”

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In a separate operation, the team arrested 540 wanted suspects for serious and violent crimes that include murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, assault GBH, rape and sexual assaults.

In the Safer Festive Season Operation Shanela II on November 20, led by Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, and including senior management of SAPS and other law enforcement agencies, 85 undocumented foreign nationals were brought to book in Houghton.

Nevhuhulwi added that other arrests made throughout the province of this phase totalled 172.

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“30 suspects were arrested in Alexandra and Bramley stations in the Johannesburg District. In Tshwane District, 71 arrests were made while operating in Silverton and Eesterust areas,” she noted.

32 suspects were arrested in Westonaria, West Rand District, while 39 suspects were arrested in Sedibeng and Ekurhuleni Districts.

All these suspects were arrested during roadblocks, stop and searches, as well as liquor compliance inspections.

The arrested suspects will appear in different magistrates’ courts in Gauteng starting from November 24.

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