Law enforcement partners braved the cold weather to restore law and order through Operation Shanela.
West Rand District Police led a five-phase operation on June 6, with Brigadier Miranda Theron as overall commander and Brigadier Happy Xaba (Krugersdorp) and Brigadier Nyelisani Mabatha (Kagiso) overseeing operational activities.
“Among the law enforcement powers that collaborated with West Rand Police were the department the Gauteng Community Safety, Gauteng Traffic Wardens, Merafong Traffic Police, local CPF structures and the District Youth Desk chairperson,” Sibiya stated.
“Activities included roadblocks, crime prevention groups, stop and searches, raiding of illegal shebeens, illegal mining groups, vehicle control points, detectives groups and searching for wanted and known suspects. The operation generated a total of 104 arrests with Visible Policing affecting 28 arrests,” Sibiya added.
Sibiya said that 23 persons were arrested for Contravention of the Immigration Act, two were arrested for dealing in liquor without licenses, one for possession of suspected stolen property and illegal mining, and one for possession of illicit cigarettes.
“Detectives also made 76 successful arrests for various crimes, including one murder, two attempted murders, one armed robbery, seven for theft, 28 for assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm and three kidnappings, among others,” Sibiya added.
He further said that during initial arrests, law enforcement agencies confiscated 45 850 ml of liquor, 5kg copper cable, three gas cylinders, six cartons of cigarettes and a variety of illegal mining equipment including two garden spades and one basket containing gold bearing material.
Sibiya said that the suspects would also appear briefly in court in due course.
Xaba thanked and applauded everyone for outstanding results despite the unfriendly chilly weather.
