VANDERBIJLPARK – What was meant to be a busy and joyful weekend for boozers turned out to be horrible as Operation Shanela swept the streets of Vanderbijlaprk.
This comes after the Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, led a multidisciplinary team for two operations in the Vanderbijlpark precinct.
#sapsGP #OperationShanela roadblock in Sedibeng District was joined by other law enforcement agencies, Gauteng Traffic and Crime Prevention Wardens, Emfuleni Traffic and Bylaws Enforcement Officers, as well as security companies as part of BACSA Eyes and Ears Initiative. Arrests… pic.twitter.com/2aBvnMSHHv
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) September 10, 2023
Starting off with a roadblock on Barrage Road, several law enforcement agencies comprising Gauteng Traffic and Crime Prevention Wardens, Emfuleni Traffic and Bylaws Enforcement Officers, as well as security companies as part of BACSA Eyes and Ears Initiative.
Following the random stop and search, the teams swept through Bophelong Township for liquor compliance inspections clamping a total of 29 unlicensed liquor establishments.
Out of the 29 outlets, four were closed in Sedibeng, and fines were issued to the operators for noncompliance with the Liquor Act.
#sapsGP Last night 9/9/23 Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, led the multidisciplinary team of #OperationShanela through Bophelong Township for liquor compliance inspections. Three liquor outlets have been closed for noncompliance… pic.twitter.com/gdjOxhef6J
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) September 10, 2023
Arrests also include 12 undocumented persons, and five drunken drivers, and the police seized one vehicle for engine tampering.
Meanwhile, in the success of Operation Shanela, 908 suspects were arrested for various crimes.
The suspects were linked to various crimes ranging from operating unlicensed taverns, to those classified as trio crimes (carjackings, house robberies, and business robberies).
Mawela said extended appreciation to all agencies that were involved in the weekend operations.
“We extend our appreciation to all law enforcement agencies, who are now part and parcel of our crime-fighting initiatives in all of our planning and executions,” said Mawela.
