Over 1000 suspects across the various parts of Gauteng were nabbed in Operation Shanela II operations this past weekend, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said on Monday.
Conducted from 17-19 April, the operation resulted in the arrest of 1031 suspects for various crimes.
The arrests were made across all five districts in the province, namely: Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni West Rand and Sedibeng.
According to police, 307 of the arrests were effected by visible policing and they include 103 illegal immigrants. Fifty-four individuals were nabbed for dealing in /possession of drugs, while 72 others were nabbed for drunk and driving. A further 32 individuals were nabbed for dealing in liquor and 724 wanted suspects were arrested for serious and violent crimes.
Operation Shanela is multidisciplinary integrated operation through concerted efforts of various units within the SAPS, Metro Police Departments, Gauteng Traffic, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Community Safety, Community Policing Forums and private security companies through the Eyes and Ears Initiative (E2).
Gauteng Police Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, praised the multidisciplinary teams for the concerted efforts.
“Operation Shanela demonstrates that much can be achieved when law enforcement and the community work together in the fight against crime. Criminality will not be tolerated in Gauteng, and we remain resolute in our fight against crime," Mthombeni said.
The police thanked members of the community for their ongoing support and providing tip-offs to the police. The public is encouraged to continue reporting criminal activities by contacting Crime Stop on 08600 10111, their nearest police station, or via the MySAPS App.
Operation Shanela remains a standing weekly operation across Gauteng, with deployments adapted based on crime pattern analysis and community concerns. – SAnews.gov.za
