Police have arrested more than 670 suspects in Gauteng for serious and violent crimes as part of Operation Shanela II, led by Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni.
The suspects were on the run after committing serious and violent crimes, including murder, armed robbery, rape, fraud, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, housebreaking and theft.
“These suspects were arrested during the first phase of the operation, where the detectives were tracing wanted suspects,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement.
They will appear at different Magistrate’s Courts in due course.
In addition, police arrested 14 people during a roadblock in Protea, Soweto.
The operation targeted illegal goods and substances transported by road users. It also searched for stolen, hijacked vehicles and contraband.
“During the roadblock conducted in Protea, 14 people were arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol, nine for possession of drugs, and 13 illegal immigrants were taken in to be processed by Immigration officials from the Department of Home Affairs,” the police said.
Meanwhile, other districts also conducted weekend operations that resulted in the arrest of 86 people in Tshwane District, 45 in the West Rand District, 29 in Sedibeng District, and 22 in Ekurhuleni District.
Mthombeni commended the detectives and operational teams for their continued efforts to track down wanted suspects and disrupt criminal activities through intelligence-driven and integrated policing operations. – SAnews.gov.za
