Operation Shanela made its way to Brakpan last week, tackling crime in the town from various angles with the collaboration of many stakeholders.
Members from 20 SAPS stations in Ekurhuleni, CPF members, EMPD, Gauteng traffic wardens, the Department of Home Affairs, immigration services, AfriForum patrollers, various local security companies and EMS Guardian Angels were part of the massive operation.
There was a roadblock on the N17 aimed at clamping down on illegal immigrants, stolen vehicles and traffic violations. At the same time, the patrols around town and visited spaza shops and second-hand dealers to check for compliance.
Major General Anna Sithole, the Ekurhuleni SAPS district commissioner, joined the operation with optimism and energy. She was noted as showing passion and paying close attention to stakeholders.
According to Constable Audrey Buthelezi, Brakpan SAPS Sector 1 manager and corporate communications officer, the team apprehended 273 suspects for various crimes committed in the Ekurhuleni District during high-density operations, starting on Wednesday and ending on Thursday.
Among the suspects, the detectives nabbed 251, of which 168 were arrested for contact crimes, 21 for contact-related crimes, 12 for malicious property damage, and 57 for gender-based violence.
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The main operation occurred in Brakpan, where the team issued 35 traffic fines, arrested 13 suspects for illegal immigration, three for selling liquor without a licence, and two for possession of drugs.
Three J534 notices (admission of guilt) were issued for second-hand goods non-compliance, three illegal shebeens were shut down, a suspect was arrested for possession of stolen copper cables, and two employers were charged for employing illegal immigrants.
Parallel to the operation in Brakpan, a team conducted a community engagement meeting in the Mgongo informal settlement to listen to concerns raised by community members regarding policing matters and crime-related issues.
