644 Suspects apprehended during operation Shanela in the province
Operation Shanela, conducted from May 27 to June 2, 2024, in Potchefstroom, led to the apprehension of 644 suspects for various serious crimes.
A major crackdown on crime, dubbed Operation Shanela, resulted in the apprehension of 644 suspects across the province from Monday, 27 May 2024, to Sunday, 02 June 2024. This extensive operation, coordinated by local police and other law enforcement agencies, targeted a wide array of criminal activities.
The arrested individuals face charges for serious offenses including rape, murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), malicious damage to property, burglary of both residential and business premises, possession of drugs, theft from motor vehicles, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Among these, 307 suspects were wanted for contact crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape, assault GBH, common assault, house robbery, and business robbery. Additionally, 221 suspects were detained during detective-led raiding operations, and 30 suspected undocumented persons were taken in for processing.
The arrests were made through various proactive policing measures such as stop-and-searches, roadblocks, patrols, vehicle checkpoints, inspections of licensed liquor premises and second-hand goods dealers, and the tracing of wanted suspects. These activities also led to the confiscation of numerous illegal items including various drugs, dangerous weapons, 11 cell phones, copper cables, 23 rounds of ammunition, 8kg of precious metals, five firearms, liquor, and five vehicles. Moreover, two illegal liquor outlets, also known as shebeens, were shut down during the operation.
Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, commended the efforts of all police officers, units, and other participating agencies for their dedication and hard work in ensuring the safety and security of the province’s citizens. “The success of Operation Shanela is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our law enforcement personnel in the fight against crime,” he stated.
The province remains committed to maintaining a robust stance against crime through continued operations and collaborations among various law enforcement bodies to protect and serve the community effectively.
