In a successful week-long operation known as Operation Shanela, the Free State Police have apprehended over 800 individuals.
This high-density, multi-disciplinary operation involved all five districts in the province and was supported by intelligence-driven information to ensure the capture of criminals. Notably, two firearms were seized during operations in Namahadi and Meloding.
#sapsFS Police efforts to reduce crime and remove criminal elements in the Free State province continue to bear fruit as more than 800 people were arrested in one week. #OperationShanela #FightingCrime
Among the arrests, eight suspects were caught for drug dealing and another fifty were apprehended for drug possession. Various illicit drugs, including cocaine, dagga, crystal meth, nyaope, and mandrax, were found in their possession.
Additionally, eight individuals were arrested for robberies and 37 were charged with possession of dangerous weapons.
Instances of gender-based violence and assault also came to light, with two suspects arrested for rape and 125 suspects detained for assault.
In Maokeng Kroonstad, station management took a compassionate approach by holding an Imbizo, where they engaged with locals and shared important information.
One stolen vehicle was swiftly recovered in Mangaung, Bloemfontein, leading to the arrest of five suspects. Moreover, 13 people were arrested for driving under the influence, and 66 individuals for being in the country illegally, highlighting the police’s dedication to maintaining public safety.
Notably, the operation led to significant progress in stabilizing communities and fighting against infrastructure damage. Copper cables were recovered, and several individuals were apprehended for robbery, burglary, and malicious damage to property.
Furthermore, tracing operations throughout the five districts resulted in the arrest of 351 suspects. Regular stop and searches, vehicle checkpoints, roadblocks, and high-visibility patrols were conducted with the collaboration of the Department of Labour, Department of Home Affairs, and Traffic Law enforcement.
This comprehensive approach led to the apprehension of more than 105 suspects involved in traffic violations and contraventions of the Secondhand Goods Act.
Free State Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Baile Motsoenyane commended the efforts of the police and urged them to prioritize public interests. This commitment to service is slowly rebuilding trust within the community.
“We cannot succeed in this battle without the active involvement of our communities, and therefore, we extend our gratitude to the community of Maokeng for their participation in the Imbizo held on Friday. The police will persist with this ongoing operation called Shanela,” stated Lt Gen Motswenyane.
#sapsFS Police efforts to reduce crime and remove criminal elements in the Free State province continue to bear fruit as more than 800 people were arrested in one week. #OperationShanela #FightingCrime MLhttps://t.co/zaOnwDbAaF pic.twitter.com/wgrkBDn2hK
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) July 17, 2023
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