Lentswe, Klerksdorp - The police in the province were vigilant in the run-up to the election and about 644 suspects were apprehended for various crimes in the province during Operation Shanela. It was conducted by police and other law enforcement agencies between May 27 and June 2.
Police spokesperson Lt-Col Amanda Funani said 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 644 arrested suspects, 307 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 221 were held during detective suspect raiding operations. In addition, 30 suspected undocumented persons were taken in for processing,” she said.
The arrests took place during stop and searches, road blocks, patrols, vehicle check points, visiting and inspecting of licensed liquor premises and second-hand goods dealers, tracing of wanted suspects and many others.
She added the operations also culminated in the confiscation of a variety of drugs, dangerous weapons, 11 cell phones, copper cable, 23 rounds of ammunition, 8kg of precious metals, five firearms, liquor and five vehicles. During the operations, two illegal liquor outlets / shebeens were shut down.
