BOIPATONG – Operation Shanela 2 is fast becoming an agent through which the police are making significant progress in clamping down on crime. In another instalment of the operation, Sedibeng District Police, in conjunction with various role players, cracked down on lawlessness in the Boipatong Policing Precinct, resulting in positive outcomes.

The operation was led by the Sedibeng District acting police commissioner Brigadier Mashole Manamela, flanked by operational Commander Brigadier Sibongile Ndaba. The operation culminated in a suspect-tracing operation that resulted in more than 130 arrests of suspects linked to serious crimes on June 3.
Detective Services attended to 134 cases and secured 106 arrests.

On June 4, a multidisciplinary deployment consisting of SAPS members, specialised units, Crime Intelligence, Trio Task Teams, K9 Unit, Mounted Unit, Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit, Home Affairs officials, Gauteng Traffic and Infrastructure teams was mobilised. A total of 138 operational members and 60 vehicles were deployed during the operation.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Thembeka Maxambela reports that during the operation, members conducted extensive crime prevention and law enforcement activities, which included a roadblock, search operations, vehicle testing, Inspection of business premises, and spaza shop inspection.

During the operation, two liquor outlets closed for non-compliance, a shopping centre was visited, two crime hotspots were targeted, a filling station was inspected, three ATM sites were visited, and community engagement was conducted. The operational leg of the operation effected an additional 37 arrests linked to crimes detected during police actions.

Traffic enforcement operations resulted in traffic fines to the value of R3 000. Maxambela said gender-based violence remained a priority focus area during the operation, with 27 arrests effected in cases involving women and children.The offences included rape, sexual assault, common assault, assault GBH, and domestic violence-related crimes.

Police confiscated various illicit substances and contraband, including: 33 ziplock packets of heroin, Crystal methamphetamine, Mandrax tablets, 25 bottles of Schedule 5 medication, and more than 319l of liquor seized during liquor compliance operations. Boipatong SAPS effected eight arrests for various crimes.

Concluding the hard day at work, Manamela commended all participating members and stakeholders for their dedication and professionalism. He reiterated that Operation Shanela remains a critical intervention aimed at reducing violent crimes, addressing gender-based violence, enforcing compliance legislation, and ensuring safer communities throughout the Sedibeng District.