Operation Shanela continues across Tshwane
Police officers from Bronkhortspruit were out on patrols on October 5 when they received information about a person with an illegal firearm.
Operation Shanela again took place in Tshwane, executed with coordination among various agencies, including the departments of home affairs and labour, Gauteng Traffic Department, Tshwane Metro Police Department, Tracker, crime prevention wardens, Mamelodi-West CPF and elected councillors.
Three uniformed groups comprising two compliance teams and a roadblock group supported the units. Members from different SAPS stations and units operating within the Tshwane policing area played pivotal roles.
The operation entailed high-visibility patrols in crime hotspots, compliance inspections, and raids on illicit liquor outlets.
Throughout the operation, Tshwane detectives successfully apprehended 304 suspects. Among them were 94 individuals involved in gender-based violence, one charged with murder, four with attempted murder, one for his involvement in armed robbery and five for rape.
During the operation, the members inspected seventeen illegal liquor outlets and subsequently closed two and confiscated the liquor.
All liquor seized will be disposed of once the criminal cases have been concluded.
The operation also had one person arrested for possession of illicit cigarettes. They confiscated 320 loose cigarettes and will destroy them upon the finalisation of the criminal case.
The members also detained 61 undocumented immigrants, who will undergo deportation proceedings once the legal matters are finalised.
Throughout the operation’s duration, a total of 4 identified premises, 1 115 individuals and 718 vehicles underwent search procedures, with 149 Aarto infringement notices issued to the value of R 64 150.
The Department of Labour inspected 11 business premises and subsequently issued 10 contraventions and two improvement notices.
All the arrested individuals will appear in court. While police officers were patrolling and searching vacant fields, a passerby found a firearm in the field.
He notified the SAPS personnel and handed the firearm to them. Investigations are already underway to determine the circumstances of the found firearm.
Several intelligence-driven operations were also conducted throughout the Tshwane district. Atteridgeville SAPS members received information on a suspect in possession of an illegal firearm on October 3.
While the members approached the person, he threw a bag to the ground and disappeared into a crowd of people. On searching the bag, the members recovered a 9mm pistol with 14 rounds.
The suspect is known to be involved in robberies in the area and a tracing team has been tasked to locate and arrest him.
Tshwane District detectives followed up on information on October 4 after highway patrol members arrested a suspect for possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
The members searched the suspect’s house and recovered a firearm taken during a hijack incident in Soshanguve.
Various SAPS units formed an operational team after they received information about two individuals selling a stolen motor vehicle in Pretoria Central.
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The members identified the vehicle as one hijacked in Akasia.
The vehicle was approached and searched and they found a firearm with ammunition and a replica firearm inside the vehicle.
The suspects were arrested and the firearms with the vehicle were taken in as evidence.
Police officers from Bronkhortspruit were out on patrols on October 5 when they received information about a person with an illegal firearm.
When the suspect was traced and searched, the officers found a silver revolver with six rounds in his possession and arrested him for the possession of an unlicensed firearm.
All seized firearms will undergo ballistic analyses to determine any involvement in other criminal activities.
The District Commissioner of Tshwane Major General Azwinndini Nengovhela extends his appreciation and congratulations to all the participants who selflessly contributed to the success of this operation and the recovery of the firearms.
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