The resilience of the high density operation dubbed “Operation Shanela” remains steadfast in the collective fight against crime in the Northern Cape Province. The police actions which commenced on Monday, 03 July 2023 until Sunday, 09 July 2023, focusing on reducing contact, violent and property related crimes in hotspot areas across the province continues to gain momentum through numerous operational successes.
The continued disruptive actions and pro-active crime prevention activities executed included, roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints (VCP’s), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, proliferation of illegal firearms, tracing of wanted suspects, stock theft, compliance inspections, drug trafficking and other commodities smuggling including endangered species.
A total of 22 vehicle checkpoints and seven roadblocks were conducted across the province during which 1 673 vehicles and 4 923 persons were stopped and searched during 202 police search actions.
A total of 817 compliance inspections were executed at second-hand goods dealers, liquor premises, formal and informal businesses as well as farm visits.
District Commissioners in Frances Baard, Pixley Ka Seme, John Taolo Gaetsewe, ZF Mcgawu and Namakwa led the operations which seen intensified police visibility during 1 904 blue light patrols at shopping malls and complexes, taxi ranks and central business districts throughout the province.
Numerous operational successes were achieved including:
– 99 suspects were apprehended and arrested for various offences such as murder, attempted murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, theft, dealing and possession of drugs and undocumented immigrants were also detained.
– 23 Wanted suspects were traced and brought to book for an array of different offenses, evading court appearances and contravention of court orders.
– Police confiscated a number of alcoholic beverages, drugs, stolen equipment, recovered stolen goods and cash that is believed to be the proceeds of crime.
The Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola and Deputy Provincial Commissioner of Policing, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga also led crime prevention operations with choristers and members of the Provincial Police Choir, POLMUSCA and the Flying Squad in the greater Upington on Friday, 07 July 2023. The members searched three identified premises in Rosedale and Paballelo areas respectively whereby drugs and cash believed to be the proceeds of drugs were confiscated.
The team also arrested three undocumented males and issued traffic fines amounting to R5000 to non-compliant motorists.
In a separate incident on Friday, 08 July 2023 police in Kuruman responded to a tip-off which led them to Perth in Heuningsvlei where they confiscated two live pangolins at a cattle post.
The suspect was charged for possession of endangered, threatened or protected species and all the arrested persons will appear in their respective courts across the province soon.
Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, appreciated the continued collaborative police efforts in ensuring that we stamp the authority of the state. She also thanked the members for their unabated commitment and dedication in making the province safe for all its inhabitants and commended the public for their continued assistance in the ongoing operations that is focused on eradicating crime from our communities.
Operation Shanela continues to gain momentum in the fight against crime https://t.co/zdlSJfIXWa#ArriveAlive #PoliceVisibility #FightingCrime @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/vW6S0ShbMC
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) July 10, 2023
