SAPS Operation Shanela: Over 11,000 arrests, 125 for murder, firearms seized, drugs confiscated in a national crackdown.
PRETORIA ( EPICSTORIAN ) – The South African Police Service (SAPS) reported a remarkable 11,059 arrests during its latest high-density operations, Operation Shanela, conducted from November 11 to November 17, 2024.
The police said its successful crime-fighting efforts this week ranged from staging roadblocks, tracking operations, stop-and-search tactics, high-visibility patrols, and targeted tracing of wanted suspects, with each province’s Commissioner overseeing its execution.
Major breakthroughs achieved by the SAPS during the separate operations conducted across the country, include the arrest of 125 suspects for murder, with Gauteng accounting for the highest arrests (40), followed by Western Cape (35) and Eastern Cape (17).
Additionally, 115 individuals were detained for attempted murder, and 191 suspects were apprehended for rape, with KwaZulu-Natal leading the statistics with 86 arrests.
Tackling Other Major Offenses
In addition to violent crimes, 1,395 suspects, according to the anti-crime squad, were charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Police also detained 329 drug dealers—marking a 44% increase over the previous week—and arrested 1,355 individuals for drug possession.
Firearm-related crimes were also targeted, with 128 suspects arrested for illegal firearm possession. Moreover, authorities detained 1,364 undocumented foreign nationals during the operation.
The South African Police Made Crime-Related Seizures
SAPS continued its efforts to ensure road safety by arresting 405 drivers for driving under the influence of illegal substance. The operation also resulted in the confiscation of 137 firearms, 2,003 rounds of ammunition, and the recovery of 61 stolen or hijacked vehicles.
Disrupting Organized and Wildlife Crimes
The police further revealed that, on November 15, 11 suspects were arrested in Limpopo for attempting to extort a mine in the Sekhukhune District.
In the Northern Cape, three individuals were also apprehended for smuggling rhino horns worth R449,000 and protected plants valued at R45,400.
Additionally, five suspects linked to highway spiking incidents on the N1 near Bela-Bela were identified and detained.
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Cross-Border Smuggling Intercepted
In a significant anti-smuggling success, Limpopo police intercepted a truck carrying illicit cigarettes worth R1.1 million. Two Zimbabwean nationals were arrested during the operation, the officials stated.
SAPS reaffirmed its commitment to public safety, emphasizing the importance of upholding law and order across the country.
