Operation Shanela
By Lerato Mpembe
Between 4 and 10 November 2024, the South African Police Service (SAPS) intensified its crime-fighting efforts through Operation Shanela, resulting in the arrest of 13,831 individuals across the country. This initiative underscores SAPS’s commitment to addressing serious and violent crimes, enhancing public safety, and restoring community trust.
Overview of Operation Shanela
Operation Shanela is a high-density policing strategy led by the Provincial Commissioner in each province. The operation employs a multifaceted approach, including:
• Tracking Operations: Identifying and apprehending individuals involved in criminal activities.
• Roadblocks: Establishing checkpoints to monitor and control vehicular movement, aiding in the detection of illegal activities.
• High-Visibility Patrols: Increasing police presence in communities to deter criminal behavior.
• Stop and Searches: Conducting random searches to uncover illegal possessions and prevent crimes.
• Tracing Wanted Suspects: Locating and arresting individuals with outstanding warrants.
Arrests and Offences
During the specified week, SAPS achieved significant results:
• Wanted Suspects: 1,105 individuals were arrested for serious and violent crimes, including murder, attempted murder, rape, and business and house robberies.
• Murder: 142 suspects were apprehended, with the highest numbers in KwaZulu-Natal (28), Western Cape (27), and Eastern Cape (26).
• Attempted Murder: 123 arrests were made, marking an increase of 29 from the previous week.
• Rape: 232 suspects were detained, with KwaZulu-Natal accounting for 92 of these arrests.
• Assault with Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH): 1,556 individuals were arrested for assault GBH.
• Drug-Related Offences: 228 drug dealers were arrested, an increase of 74 from the prior week. Additionally, 1,870 individuals were arrested for drug possession, predominantly in Western Cape (806) and Gauteng (313).
• Illegal Firearm Possession: 115 suspects were arrested, with Western Cape (29), KwaZulu-Natal (27), and Eastern Cape (17) leading in numbers.
• Illegal Foreign Nationals: 1,597 undocumented individuals were arrested during this period.
• Drunken Driving: 400 drivers were arrested for operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol.
Recoveries and Confiscations
SAPS also reported notable recoveries:
• Firearms: 151 firearms were confiscated, 52 more than the previous week.
• Ammunition: 6,193 rounds of ammunition were seized.
• Vehicles: 66 hijacked and stolen vehicles were recovered.
Major Takedowns and Successes
• Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) Investigation: A SAPS task team investigating criminal activities linked to mineral theft and murders at RBM made a significant breakthrough. A 27-year-old suspect, Halalisani Mcunu, was traced to Gauteng and found in possession of a 9mm pistol and three AK47s, one of which is linked to a businessman’s murder.
• White River Firearms Seizure: In Mpumalanga, SAPS Flying Squad members arrested a suspect during a routine patrol, confiscating 13 firearms, including eight AK47s. The suspect attempted to evade police but was successfully intercepted.
Operation Vala Umgodi: Combating Illegal Mining
Since its inception in December 2023, Operation Vala Umgodi has targeted illegal mining activities. In the past week, over 1,000 illegal miners resurfaced from an abandoned mineshaft in Orkney, North West, due to intensified police operations. This initiative aims to disrupt illegal mining operations and associated criminal activities.
Counterfeit Goods Crackdown
SAPS remains committed to eradicating the illegal trade in counterfeit goods to protect consumers, legitimate businesses, and the national economy. The National Counterfeit Goods Unit led a takedown operation in Fordsburg, seizing over 8,000 counterfeit items valued at more than R2 million. Twenty-four Pakistani nationals were arrested during this multi-disciplinary operation.
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