VANDERBIJLPARK – South African Police Services National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola on Thursday, July 06, updated the nation on high-density operation Shanela.
Masemola was flanked by members of SAPS management during the press briefing held at Vanderbijlpark police station.
Masemola said “Operation Shanela continues to yield positive results since inception on 08 May 2023. Our last pubic update was almost a month ago during my visit to the operations in Klipgat in the North West as we promised to give regular updates on our efforts to bring down the levels of crime.”
“Operation Shanela is being rolled out across the country, led by the Provincial Commissioner of each province. Thus far, it is quite encouraging to witness the cumulative successes of these weekly high-density, integrated operations, which are intensified from Thursdays to Mondays when crime is most reported at police stations,” he said.
Masemola said since his update in Klipgat four weeks ago, they (police) are now sitting at 47 848 arrests for various crimes.
“In the last two weeks, 14 909 suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder, and rape. 4 391 wanted suspects were arrested, 417 suspects were arrested for murder, 224 suspects were arrested for attempted murder, and 453 suspects were arrested for rape.
“Furthermore 403 suspects for car hijacking, 3 894 for assault GBH, and 2 258 for common assault. 2 238 for possession of drugs, 774 for dealing drugs, 911 for dealing illegally in liquor, 1 034 suspects for driving under the influence of alcohol or drug, 306 for possession of illegal and unlicensed firearms and 884 for Burglary at residential homes,” he said.
Masemola urged South Africans to work together with the police to help curb crime.
“Fighting crime is indeed a collective responsibility and it is a fight that the men and women in blue cannot afford to lose. If we stand together with our communities, we can surely succeed in making South Africa a much safer and better place to live in,” he said.
