Operation Shanela: Over 480 000 litres of petrol seized by police

Police have arrested over 600 000 people in a year.

This was revealed during a media briefing on Monday.

Operation Shanela was started in May last year to fight crime in highspots across the country.

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Among those arrested were 183 for human trafficking.

The majority of arrests were for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

8,500 suspects were nabbed for rape

While over 2 500 were arrested for murder.

Police on cable theft

Cable theft continues to be a major issue in the country, with City Power recently asking police and the military to intervene.

173 997kgs of copper cable was confiscated by police during Operation Shanela.

Fuel theft: a heavy bill

Police revealed that 480 645 litres of fuel had been recovered by police during the operation.

The clampdown on fuel theft saw officers arrest two suspects for allegedly using a cloned card to purchase over 650 litres of diesel in 20-litre containers.

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“Diesel estimated at about R30 000 was handed back to the owner,” police said.

Watch the police’s Operation Shanela briefing below:

Working with communities

Police minister Bheki Cele said communities should help in the fight against crime.

“We are strengthening our relationship with communities. We believe communities should come on board.

“We are trying to be proactive. Yes, react and find those who have committed crimes, but also prevent crimes going forward.”

Cele repeated plans to bring back former officers and train new ones.

“We are training more young officers. We are increasing other units. We have invited back experienced detectives who have left the organisation honourably. Several of them are coming back.

“We are also inviting back our special forces that may have left. That is one more area we are strengthening”.