Gauteng law enforcement nets over 1 000 suspects
Gauteng police arrested 1,090 suspects over the weekend during Operation Shanela, targeting serious crimes, gender-based violence, illegal liquor trade, and undocumented immigration in a province-wide crackdown.
The police have over the weekend arrested more than 1 090 suspects for different crimes, of which 142 are for gender-based violence and crimes committed against children and vulnerable people in Gauteng.
The arrests are a result of the persistent Operation Shanela, which is conducted every weekend throughout the province, to increase police visibility and fight criminal activities while stamping the authority of the State.
ALSO READ: Operation Shanela nets over 400 suspects in Gauteng crime crackdown
“The operation is an integrated collaboration between SAPS and other law enforcement agencies such as metro police departments, Departments of Traffic, Home Affairs, Community Safety, private security companies, CPFs and Community in Blue which started with the tracing of wanted suspects on Friday evening, whereby the detectives arrested 732 suspects who have been on the run after committing serious and violent crimes that include murder, rape, armed robbery, sexual assault and car hijacking,” said Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi of the SAPS.
In the second part of Operation Shanela, the police conducted roadblocks to ensure road users did not transport illegal goods and substances and to search for stolen or hijacked vehicles.
During these roadblocks, police recovered drugs, a suspected stolen vehicle, and rounds of ammunition.
They arrested more than 130 people for driving while under the influence of alcohol and 140 illegal immigrants.
ALSO READ: Over 455 suspects nabbed in multi-day crime crackdown across Joburg
The police conducted liquor compliance inspections, whereby they closed several liquor outlets and issued fines for contravening the Liquor Act.
The provincial commissioner of Gauteng Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, is pleased with the collaboration of law enforcement agencies and other government departments every week joining forces in Operation Shanela to ensure that people in Gauteng are, and feel safe.
The arrested suspects will appear at different magistrate’s courts in due course, while others have already been released after paying fines.
The police urge the community to continue assisting the police in the fight against crime by reporting any criminal activities on the Crime Stop Line at 08600 10111 or anonymously giving tip-offs on MySapsApp which can be downloaded on any smartphone.
