BRITS POS – BRITS – SAPS units and other law enforcement agencies were commended by the Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena for the success of Operation Shanela that resulted in the arrests of 828 suspects for various crimes in North West between Monday, 12 and Sunday, 18 August 2024.
The suspects were amongst others, arrested for rape, murder, assault GBH, malicious damage to property, burglary residential and business premises, possession of drugs, theft out of/from motor vehicle and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Of the 828 arrested suspects, 288 were wanted for contact crimes like murder, attempted murder, rape, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, assault common, house robbery and business robbery while 388 were held during Detectives suspect raiding operations. Additionally, 102 suspected undocumented persons were taken in for processing.
“These arrests were effected through execution of several actions, which included stop and searches, road blocks, patrols, vehicle check points, visiting and inspecting of licensed liquor premises, second-hand goods dealers and tracing of wanted suspects,” reports Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani, SAPS North West spokesperson.
“The operations also culminated in the confiscation of a variety of drugs, dangerous weapons, explosives, 04 cell phones, nine ammunition, a firearm, liquor and three vehicles. During the operations, three illegal liquor outlets or shebeens were shut down.”
In the Inter-Provincial Roadblock held on the N12 road by Gauteng and North West on Friday, 16 August 2024, a total of six suspected undocumented persons were taken in for processing while 438 persons and 191 vehicles were stopped and searched. In addition, more than 90 fines were issued to motorists. Pamphlets with appropriate safety tips were also distributed to motorists.
