Cape Town — National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola has revealed that the police’s new Operation Shanela has proved successful so far in arresting suspects for various crimes throughout the country.
According to a police report, the operation has yielded positive results since its inception on 8 May 2023. The operation involves analysing crime patterns and emerging threats and uses a five-pillar approach to reduce the volume of crimes.
Operation Shanela will see provincial commissioners and senior management taking part in high-density crime prevention operations that will include stop and searches, vehicle check points and roadblocks, as well as tracing of wanted suspects with a focus on the apprehension of murder and rape suspects.
#sapsHQ #SAPSNPC General Fannie Masemola says that we are starting to see the positive impact of these integrated, high density operations that are intensified over the weekend when crime is most prevalent and reported. #OperationShanela NP pic.twitter.com/TZItUcZp1o
— SA Police Service ?? (@SAPoliceService) June 9, 2023
The success of the operation means that police have recorded 21 20 suspects have been arrested for various crimes since the operation’s inception. The breakdown is as follows:
- 1 126 wanted suspects were arrested
- 188 suspects were arrested for murder
- 219 suspects were arrested for attempted murder
- 210 suspects arrested for rape
- 134 suspects for robbery with aggravating circumstances such as carjacking, truck hijacking, and CIT robbery
- 729 for burglary at residential and business premises
- 2 522 for assault GBH
- 1 808 for being in possession of drugs
- 1 103 for common assault
- 1 062 for dealing in drugs
- 861 for dealing illegally in liquor
- 774 for driving under the influence of alcohol
- 846 for possession of a dangerous weapon such as knives and other sharp objects
- 163 for possession of illegal and unlicensed firearms
- 1 425 illegal immigrants were also arrested during this period
Masemola announced that the operation was also strict on vehicle recoveries and the confiscation of drugs and guns, with 138 vehicles recovered and over 200 000 firerams destoyed.
He also said that police were trying their best to protect women and children in the country, in lieu of Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
“I am pleased to announce that 17 481 suspects were arrested for Gender Based Violence and Femicide related cases during the past financial year. 386 life imprisonment sentences were handed down to 230 accused during that same period.” he said.
“We trust that the aforementioned milestones through Operation Shanela and organisational developments, demonstrate our seriousness and decisiveness in bringing down crime once and for all. Working closely with other law enforcement agencies, the SANDF where support is required, government departments such as the Department of Home Affairs, we can collectively ensure that our communities are and feel safe and secure,” he concluded.
[WATCH] National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola says under Operation Shanela, 21 200 suspects were arrested in the country for various crimes. “1126 wanted suspects were arrested. 188 suspects were arrested for murder.”#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/PUAhxYA0qK
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) June 9, 2023
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Picture: Twitter/@SAPoliceService
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
