Kimberley—A large-scale operation aimed at curbing crime across the Northern Cape has yielded significant results, affecting numerous arrests and confiscations.
According to a new release by South African Police Service, Operation Shanela, a multi-disciplinary high-density initiative, took place from Thursday, 26 October to Sunday, 29 October 2023.
Various law enforcement agencies were involved in the operation, which included actions like random stop-and-searches of persons and vehicles, high-visibility patrols, vehicle checkpoints, roadblocks, tracing of wanted suspects, as well as compliance inspections at liquor outlets, second-hand goods dealers, scrapyards, and firearm dealers. Visits to spaza shops were also made.
During the operation, 212 suspects were arrested for a range of crimes, including drug dealing, possession of illegal cigarettes, illegal liquor dealing, possession of counterfeit goods, robbery, assaults, housebreaking and theft, malicious damage to property, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Additionally, the detention of illegal immigrants was also reported.
Separately, detectives traced and arrested 208 wanted suspects, who had been evading the police for crimes including house robbery, murder, rape, assault, and illegal possession of a firearm. Confiscated during the operation were alcoholic beverages, dangerous weapons, drugs like crystal meth, tik, dagga, mandrax, as well as cash and vehicles.
The operation also extended to tuck shops, where compliance inspections led to the removal and destruction of expired items. Police were deployed across the province to monitor fan parks hosting the screening of the Rugby World Cup final, during which no serious incidents were reported.
Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, the Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, praised the combined efforts of the various law enforcement agencies and the community for their role in the operation. She emphasized the importance of these actions in ensuring the safety of communities and contributing to a peaceful festive season.