Operation Shanela continue to reap rewards in the Western Cape with the deployment of integrated forces to combat the prevalence of serious crime and crime generators such as drugs, alcohol and firearms through the execution of high density blue light patrols, the conducting of road blocks, vehicle checkpoints and compliance inspections as well as raids on illegal shebeens and drug outlets in hotspot areas throughout the province.

These intelligence-driven integrated operations for the week starting 18 September and ending on 24 September 2023 saw a total arrests of 3 637.

The breakdown includes some of the following:

1. 129 wanted suspects

2. 33 arrests for murder and 28 for attempted murder;

3. 123 arrests were made for property related crime such as burglaries,

4. 86 arrests for drunken driving offences;

5. 25 for car hijackings,

6. 33 arrests for murder,

7. 222 arrest for assaults with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm

8. 285 for common assaults;

9. 58 arrests for rape and 3 for attempted rape

10. 111 undocumented persons (Illegal immigrants)

11. 946 arrests were affected for an array of other crime.

Seizures from the same operation include the follows:

1. 24 firearms, including one rifle and six homemade guns,

2. 573 rounds of ammunition of different calibres

3. 20kg dagga, 2 691.2 grams of tik and 12 415 mandrax tablets

4. 36 353.14 litres of liquor

5. 99 kg of copper cable and

6. 283 dangerous weapons

The high density integrated operations comprised of various units such as Vispol, Detectives, Crime Intelligence, AGU, POP, Law Enforcement, other specialised units, K9, private security companies and neighbourhood watch structures.

All the arrested suspects, are expected to make their court appearances in different Magistrates’ courts once they have been charged.

The Western Cape police management promised to maintain the high density patrols and crime combatting operations with the focus to bring down the high levels of crime in the province. Thus far endeavours seems to be successful, but the momentum must be maintained to achieve a significant decline in crime.

Source: South African Police Service