More than 10 000 suspects arrested through Operation Shanela

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested 10 668 suspects between 23 and 29 September under Operation Shanela.

In a statement on Tuesday, the police said they remain relentless in their efforts to deal decisively with crime in the country through detectives and crime intelligence tracing operations, roadblocks, as well as stop and searches.

All Operation Shanela activities are led by the Provincial Commissioner of each province.

The following arrests were made:

• 1 941 wanted suspects were arrested for crimes that including murder, attempted murder, rape and assault GBH [grievous bodily harm]. 

• 110 suspects were arrested for murder, with 31 of these murder suspects being arrested in the Western Cape province.

• 113 suspects were arrested for attempted murder.

• 116 suspects were arrested for rape, with 35 of these suspects arrested in Gauteng.

• 111 suspects were arrested for being in the illegal possession of firearms, with 44 of these suspects being arrested in the Western Cape.

• 1 132 suspects were arrested for assault GBH.

• 460 suspects were arrested for the illegal dealing in liquor, and 173 of these arrests were made in the Western Cape, while 85 were made in KwaZulu-Natal.

• 236 drug dealers were also arrested during this period.

• 593 drivers were arrested for drunken driving, with 173 of them arrested in Gauteng.

• 677 suspects were arrested for being in possession of drugs, and 150 of these arrests were made in Gauteng, 149 in KwaZulu-Natal and 127 in the Eastern Cape.

Under recoveries and confiscations, police registered the following successes:

• 117 firearms were confiscated during operations; 22 of these firearms were confiscated during police operations in the Western Cape, while 22 were confiscated in KwaZulu-Natal.

• 872 rounds of ammunition were also confiscated.

• 54 hijacked and stolen vehicles were also recovered during the week’s operations.

A highlight of major takedowns and other successes include the following:

• Police arrested an 11th drug mule at the OR Tambo International Airport within a period of two months. The 21-year-old South African female had just landed from Sao Paulo on Sunday morning when she was arrested. An x-ray examination confirmed that she had swallowed bullets containing drugs.

• In the Western Cape, police arrested a 35-year-old suspect in Ruyterwacht for dealing in drugs on Saturday, 28 September 2024 and seized 87 058 mandrax tablets, cocaine and crystal meth worth more than R5 million.

• Six extortionists, aged between 21 and 41, were arrested in Tshwane during an intelligence-driven operation on Wednesday, 25 September 2024. These suspects reportedly collected money from shops owned by foreign nationals around Akasia and Soshanguve.

• On the same day, police in KZN arrested four extortionists, who are under police guard following their arrest. These suspects sustained gunshot wounds following a shootout with security guards. They are linked to a case of extortion at a construction site in Sydenham.

• Police operationalised a tip-off on suspected extortionists operating in Mthatha, Eastern Cape and successfully intercepted the suspects’ vehicle. The suspects fired gun shots at the police officers, who then returned fire. The two suspects were fatally wounded during the shootout with the police.

• During a takedown operation, police arrested four males and one female suspect, and rescued 29 human trafficking victims in Germiston, Gauteng.

• Operation Vala Umgodi continues to record significant successes since its activation in December 2023. This week, 157 illegal miners were arrested, with 91 being arrested in Mpumalanga.

Police will continue with their operations by asserting the authority of the state to ensure the safety and security of all South Africans and visitors to the country. – SAnews.gov.za