Big successes during operation
The police put several criminals behind bars while also, among other things, confiscating illegal guns during a big operation in the Carletonville and Khutsong area this week.
According to Captain Solomon Sibaya, the action, called Operation Shanela, meaning “to sweep”, included a roadblock between Carletonville and Welverdiend and a vehicle checkpoint and crime prevention and flash groups looking for criminals across the area.
The action targeted the Carletonville CBD, Khutsong and areas where illegal mining occurs.
The authorities also searched vehicles on the N14 and R500, both hotspots for hijackings, taxi violence and kidnapping, among others.
During the operation, led by women as part of Women’s Month, the police collaborated with other law enforcement agencies and government structures like the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, Gauteng Traffic Police, the Merafong City MMC for Public Safety, Ms Nasiwe Mcetywa, Crime Prevention wardens, community safety patrollers and the local CPF (Community Policing Forum).
The police made 90 arrests during the operation, of which the detectives made 64.
Among them were six apprehensions for murder, nine for attempted murder, four for armed robbery, four for business robbery, three for kidnapping and five for housebreaking and theft.
Among the guns and other illegal goods confiscated were a Beretta pistol and 9 mm rounds of ammunition, a Lugar rifle, an Anschutz rifle, a .45 mm Colt revolver, a stolen solar panel, 670 Meticas (Mozambican bank notes), six half-moon Mandrax tablets, three gas cylinders, five rolls of copper wire and R24,210 of illegal mining proceeds.
The police and traffic officers stopped 234 vehicles, searched 398 people, issued 33 fines totalling R26,600, closed three illegal shebeens, and confiscated 153 litres of illicit liquor.
All the suspects who were arrested during the operation were due to appear in the Oberholzer Magistrate’s Court.
