BRITS POS – NORTH WEST - Operation Shanela that forms part of the Safer Festive Season Operations, was conducted between Monday, 2 December to Sunday, 8 December.
1 299 suspects in the North West of which 617 were arrested by Detectives during suspect raiding operations.
5 399 actions were carried out that included the inspection of 56 licensed liquor premises, 77 second-hand dealers, compliance inspections of Firearms Institutions (non-official and official institutions), 745 inspections at hospitality and retail shops, 84 informal businesses to ensure labour law compliance as well as farms and mines.
In North West, a further 292 premises, 1 677 persons and 702 vehicles were searched and ten roadblocks were held. The following arrests were among those effected by Detectives: 17 for murder, 46 for rape and 236 for assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH).
“Other arrests effected included four for illegal possession of firearm, five for illegal possession of ammunition and two for possession of a dangerous weapon”, confirmed Colonel Adéle Myburgh, spokesperson SAPS North West.
“11 for dealing in drugs, 17 for illegal dealing in liquor, 152 for possession of drugs, seven for burglary at business premises, 17 for burglary at residential premises, 38 for malicious damage to property, 46 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, 39 for being Illegal Immigrants and 87 for illicit mining.
“The following items were confiscated: a variety of drugs, tobacco products, 10kg of copper cables, 121 rounds of ammunition, three firearms, one rifle and three vehicles,” concludes Colonel Myburgh. In Lichtenburg on Tuesday, 3 December, the police and Health Inspectors from the Department of Health visited businesses in town and Boikhutso Township respectively and confiscated numerous expired goods. The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena praised all involved for asserting the authority of the state.
