Police hit the ground running in 2024 with operations across the metro leading to the arrest of 1020 suspects and the seizure of 3 illegal firearms, as well as drugs and liquor.
Tshwane regional SAPS spokesperson, Johan van Dyk, said that these were the result of five highly effective district operations conducted throughout the week.
“Commencing on Sunday, December 31, the week began with a high-density operation in the Temba and Soshanguve Policing areas,” said Van Dyk.
In the first operation, police apprehended 13 undocumented immigrants and 73 persons for drinking in public.
Two people were arrested for the possession and dealing of various drugs when 113 ziplock plastic bags were found in their possession, and another person was arrested for illicit cigarettes for being in possession of 1000 illegal loose cigarettes.
Operation Shanela
Operation Shanela was executed in the early hours of Thursday, January 4, 2024, within the policing precincts of Garsfontein and Boschkop.
“Collaborative efforts involving multiple stakeholders resulted in the apprehension of 89 undocumented immigrants.”
In this operation, one person was arrested for possession of a ziplock bag containing Nyaope.
Eleven businesses were inspected by the Department of Labour, and 10 businesses were issued with contravention notices.
One roadblock was conducted during the operation, resulting in the issuance of 191 Aarto infringement notices, totalling R 104 250.
A motorcycle was also found abandoned and impounded to trace the lawful owner of the motorcycle.
The operation also involved searches of 5 premises, 1412 individuals, and 747 vehicles, with 12 vehicles being tested to ensure they were not stolen.
Concurrently, detectives from various police stations in the city apprehended 281 suspects wanted for various crimes, including 79 arrests related to Gender-Based Violence.
Second-hand goods operation
On Friday, January 5, a liquor and second-hand goods compliance operation was conducted by officers from various stations in the Tshwane District in the Rietgat Policing Precinct.
“One liquor premises was inspected and closed and the owner arrested for contravening the Liquor Act, with 208 955 ml liquor confiscated,” said Van Dyk.
A second-hand goods dealer was also inspected, and fined R2500 for non-compliance with the Second-hand Goods Act.
Soshanguve crime prevention operation
A crime prevention operation was also conducted in the Soshanguve SAPS area on Friday, 5 January.
Eleven illegal immigrants were arrested, with 8 persons detained for drinking in public.
During the operation, 109 individuals and 99 vehicles were searched which resulted in the arrest of 2 persons who were found in possession of unlicensed firearms.
A pistol and a revolver were found and handed in as evidence.
The operation also saw 96 Aarto traffic fines issued to the value of R39 900.
Five liquor premises were inspected and subsequently closed for not being compliant with the Liquor Control Act.
This included 651 700 ml of liquor being confiscated, which will be destroyed once the legal processes are finalized.
Second Operation Shanela
Concluding the week, another Operation Shanela took place in the afternoon of Saturday, January 6, within the police precincts of Rietgat and Soshanguve.
“This operation led to the arrest of 297 individuals involved in various crimes, including 19 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol, 2 persons for illicit cigarettes when 6720 illegal cigarettes were found in their possession,” said Van Dyk.
“Five persons were arrested for possession of various drugs when 219 grams of various drugs and 9 cocaine rocks were found on them.”
The operation saw 28 undocumented immigrants detained, who will be deported once the legal processes have been finalised.
Detectives arrested 230 suspects on various charges of crimes, which include 72 for offences against women, 2 for murder, 2 for attempted murder, 4 for armed robbery and 4 for rape.
“One person found himself behind bars when an unlicensed firearm with 2 magazines and 5 rounds was found in his possession, another person was arrested for fraud.”
As part of Saturday’s operation, 10 liquor outlets were inspected for compliance, resulting in 6 being closed and the confiscation of 278 060 ml of liquor.
In total, 2 528 individuals and 1 423 vehicles were searched, and 108 Aarto infringement notices were issued to the value of R82 500 in two roadblocks.
Success in the operations included several actors
“The success of these operations was achieved through collaboration among multiple stakeholders, including the Departments of Home Affairs, Labour, and Correctional Services, Community Safety, Crime Prevention Wardens, Tracker, Gauteng Traffic, local councillors, Community Policing Forums, and various SAPS members from different units and stations within the Tshwane Policing District,” said Van Dyk.
The week saw a total of 5 379 individuals and 3 139 vehicles underwent thorough searches at roadblocks, resulting in the issuance of 412 Aarto fines totalling R 235 700.
Four vehicles were impounded when irregularities were found and further investigations will continue.
Additionally, 141 undocumented immigrants were arrested.
A total of 19 individuals were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, 95 for drinking in public, 7 for possession of drugs with 4 ziplock bags containing various drugs and 1 for dealing in drugs when 113 small ziplock plastic bags containing dagga were found in their possession.
Law enforcement inspected 82 liquor outlets, resulting in 15 closures for non-compliance with the liquor act.
In total, 1,572 465 ml of liquor were confiscated.
“These items will be disposed of once the criminal cases have been finalised.” said Van Dyk.
“93 businesses were inspected by the Department of Labour, with 10 receiving contravention notices.
“3 unlicensed firearms were recovered by SAPS officers and will be sent to forensic laboratories for ballistic tests to determine whether the firearms could have been used in the commission of other crimes,” said Van Dyk.
Station inspections carried out at two Tshwane stations
SAPS also conducted inspections at the Rietgat and Soshanguve police stations in the district in a drive to enhance service delivery and ensure compliance with internal standards.
“Senior officers from Operation Shanela Support Services within the Province conducted the inspection,” said Van Dyk.
“Various departments at the station were inspected, and subsequent mistakes were identified for corrective measures, compliance, and the implementation of internal directives and policies.”
He said that follow-up inspections would be conducted in due course to monitor compliance and the rectification of irregularities that were found.
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