Police arrest 998 suspects during Operational Shanela
On Monday, the owner of a liquor outlet was charged with violating food safety regulations when 463 rotten meat packages were discovered in his possession.
Police departments and agencies caught 998 suspects during six multidisciplinary operations last week.
Law enforcement agencies have been implementing Operation Shanela throughout different areas of the metro over the past few weeks and have no intention of stopping as the festive season approaches.
“These operations underscore our unwavering commitment to community safety,” said Tshwane spokesperson Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk.
The multidisciplinary operations kicked off on Sunday, October 8.
A high-density operation was executed in the Bronkhorstspruit policing area. Law enforcement personnel apprehended 10 undocumented immigrants, five people for public drinking, and one for drug possession. Additionally, nine liquor outlets were searched, leading to the closure of one establishment due to violations of the Liquor Act. Searches were conducted on 95 people and 58 vehicles were inspected.
Monday, October 9
Akasia police conducted an operation within the area, which led to the arrest of two people for drug possession. During this operation, two Ziploc plastic bags containing Crystal meth were found. Law enforcement searched 92 individuals and 38 vehicles and inspected five business premises. Two liquor outlets were searched and inspected, resulting in the confiscation of thousands of litres of liquor. One owner was charged with contravening food safety regulations after 463 rotten meat packages were discovered in his possession.
Tuesday, October 10
Police received information about a suspect linked to the murder of a police officer. An operational plan was formulated, and the suspect’s house was placed under surveillance.
“When it was established that the suspect was at home, the house was approached, and the suspect started to shoot at the police officers. The officers retaliated, and the suspect was fatally wounded and died of his injuries. One 9mm pistol with 18 empty cartridges was found in the house,” Van Dyk stated.
Wednesday, October 11
Garsfontein and Welbekend policing units visited liquor outlets and second-hand goods dealers to enforce the Liquor and Second-hand Goods acts. Three inspections were carried out at second-hand goods dealers, resulting in fines issued to all three businesses for non-compliance with the Second-Hand Goods Act (Act 6 of 2009). Three liquor establishments were closed and thousands of litres of alcohol confiscated.
During another operation, police received a tip-off about a possible illegal firearm at a house.
”The house was verified, and upon arrival, the suspect refused to open it for the police officers. A shot was fired by the suspect, and after the house was penetrated, a silver revolver with three rounds of ammunition was found,” Van Dyk said.
The suspect was arrested and charged with attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Friday, October 13
A liquor and second-hand goods compliance operation was conducted by officers from stations in the Olievenhoutbosch policing precinct.
Six liquor premises were inspected and all were closed for contravening the liquor act, and thousands of litres of liquor and three gambling machines were confiscated.
Saturday, October 14
The week concluded with another operation in the Olievenhoutbosch precinct.
This operation led to the arrest of 323 people involved in various crimes, including 28 driving under the influence of alcohol and 71 undocumented immigrants.
Detectives arrested 224 suspects through tracing for different crimes.
Twenty liquor outlets were inspected for compliance, which resulted in 15 being closed and confiscation of thousands of litres of liquor.
About 15 400 illicit cigarettes were found abandoned and confiscated.
Two search warrants were executed, with 66 premises searched.
In total, 1 271 individuals and 863 vehicles were searched, with five vehicles being tested to ensure they were not stolen.
Throughout the week, a total of 3 600 individuals and 1 407 vehicles underwent thorough searches at roadblocks, resulting in 142 Aarto fines being issued totalling R66 000, and one vehicle being discontinued for not being roadworthy.
Arrests were made of 205 undocumented immigrants, and one person was arrested for employing undocumented immigrants
Other successes included:
– 28 individuals were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, five for public drinking, and three for drug possession.
– 47 liquor outlets were inspected, resulting in 30 closures for non-compliance.
– Thousands of litres of liquor were seized to be disposed of and four gambling machines were confiscated.
– Nine second-hand premises were inspected, with five fines issued for non-compliance.
– Five businesses were inspected, with all five receiving contravention notices issued by the Department of Labour.
– 83 premises were searched and two search warrants executed.
– Two suspects were arrested for the possession of illicit cigarettes and 19 500 loose cigarettes were confiscated.
– Three unlicensed firearms were recovered in intelligence-driven operations, which will be sent to forensic laboratories to determine whether they were used in the commission of crimes.
The home affairs, labour, correctional services, and community safety departments, crime prevention wardens, Tracker, the Gauteng Traffic Department, TMPD, local ward councillors, CPFs, and SAPS members from different units and stations within the Tshwane policing district all formed part of the operations.
“To enhance service delivery and ensure compliance with internal policies, Kameeldrift Police Station in the Tshwane district was inspected during the past week. Senior officers from Operation Shanela support services within the district conducted the inspection,” Van Dyk said.
“Departments at the station were inspected, and subsequent mistakes identified for corrective measures, compliance, and implementation of internal directives and policies. A follow-up inspection will be conducted in due course to monitor compliance and the rectification of irregularities found,” he said.
Tshwane district commissioner, Major-General Azwinndini Nengovhela extended his appreciation and congratulated all members who took part in the operations.
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