Over 16000 suspects have been arrested in recent Shanela II operations across the country, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said.
Conducted between 9 and 15 February across the provinces, a total 16 565 suspects were arrested.
The police operations were conducted together with other law enforcement agencies.
According to the police, the suspects include those involved in serious crimes such as carjacking, armed robbery, murder, rape, sexual assault, drug dealing, and contravention of the Firearms Control Act.
Moreover, police in Gauteng traced and arrested three suspects, aged between 24 and 30, following the hijacking and murder of a 23-year-old e-hailing driver in Pretoria West. The trio also face a charge of robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The nationwide operations demonstrate SAPS’s continued commitment to intensifying crime prevention and enforcement beyond the festive season.
Key arrests include:
• 2957 wanted suspects traced and arrested across the provinces.
• 171 suspects arrested for rape.
• 154 suspects arrested for murder.
• 158 suspects arrested for attempted murder.
• 1657 suspects arrested for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH).
• 72 suspects arrested for business and residential robberies.
• 764 suspects arrested for illegal dealing in liquor.
• 716 motorists arrested for driving while under the influence, majority arrested in Gauteng (222) followed by Mpumalanga (151) and Kwa-Zulu Natal (149).
• 1507 illegal immigrants arrested for contravening the Immigration Act
Additionally, 147 illegal firearms were seized that include handguns, rifles, shotguns, and homemade firearms. Also, 4,465 rounds of ammunition of different calibres were confiscated. Illegal contraband goods valued at more than R900 000 were also confiscated. – SAnews.gov.za
