Northern Cape SAPS’s Operation Shanela Targets Crime During Festive Season

KIMBERLEY – The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Northern Cape has intensified its crime-fighting efforts through Operation Shanela, a multi-disciplinary, high-density operation aimed at curbing criminal activities across the province during the Safer Festive Season Operations.

According to South African Police Service, the operation, which spanned from Thursday, November 23, 2023, to Sunday, November 26, 2023, involved an extensive range of law enforcement actions. According to the SAPS, these included the execution of 8300 actions such as random stop and searches of 3690 individuals and 1661 vehicles, 1330 high-visibility patrols, vehicle checkpoints, roadblocks, tracing of wanted suspects, and compliance inspections at liquor outlets, second-hand goods dealers, scrapyards, and firearm dealers. Law enforcement teams also visited spaza shops, ensuring compliance and safety.

During the operations, a total of 178 suspects were arrested for various offenses, including drug dealing, possession of illegal cigarettes, illegal liquor trading, possession of counterfeit goods, robbery, assault, housebreaking and theft, malicious damage to property, assault GBH, driving under the influence, and detaining illegal immigrants.

In addition, detectives successfully traced and apprehended 143 daily wanted suspects for crimes such as house robbery, murder, rape, assault GBH, and illegal possession of a firearm. These actions also led to the confiscation of dangerous weapons, drugs (including crystal meth, tik, dagga, and mandrax), alcohol, cash, and vehicles. Furthermore, raids on tuck shops resulted in the removal and destruction of expired items.

Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, the Acting Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, commended the combined efforts of the law enforcement agencies, Community Police Forums, and Community in Blue Patrollers for their significant role in the arrests. She also acknowledged the dedication of police members and reaffirmed the SAPS’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the Northern Cape province throughout the festive season and beyond.

The success of Operation Shanela demonstrates the SAPS’s ongoing commitment to maintaining law and order in the Northern Cape, particularly during times when increased festive activities can lead to a rise in criminal behavior.