A total of 173 people were arrested by the police for various crimes during Operation Shanela “disruptive actions” that were conducted throughout the Northern Cape from February 8 to 11.
A TOTAL of 173 people were arrested by the police for various crimes during Operation Shanela “disruptive actions” that were conducted throughout the Northern Cape from February 8 to 11.
The suspects were arrested for an array of crimes, including illicit dealing in liquor, dealing in drugs, robbery, murder, attempted murder, housebreaking and theft, malicious damage to property, assault common and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Several undocumented persons were also arrested.
Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Molefi Shemane said detectives traced and arrested 119 wanted suspects for failing to attend court appearances.
“During the operations, thousands of litres of alcoholic beverages, cash and drugs such as crystal meth (tik), dagga and dagga plants were seized,” said Shemane.
Shemane added that numerous vehicle checkpoints and roadblocks were also conducted in all five districts of the Province, during which 1,601 vehicles and 2,499 persons were stopped and searched.
“Shopping malls and complexes as well taxi ranks were patrolled to increase visibility in hot-spot areas.”
Shemane said that SAPS members also visited schools and addressed pupils and educators on safety issues as part of the Safer Schools Programme.
“The provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, accompanied by the MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Nomandla Bloem, visited a rural school on February 8 in the Mothibistad policing precinct where they handed over school shoes and goodie bags to the learners,” said Shemane.
Otola also applauded all SAPS members and external role-players, including the CPF structures, for their “relentless efforts in the quest to reclaim the Province from criminals”.
She thanked the district commissioners and senior managers for leading the operations and taking charge of the actions.
