2023/08/07      |  Written By:  Lieutenant Colonel M Pojie   |   Province:  Western Cape

Western Cape: 06 AUGUST 2023 - Operation Shanela in the Western Cape maintains momentum as crime combatting and high density operations proved to be successful with 1568 suspects arrested on an array of charges. This successful intelligence-driven, high density patrols and actions conducted from 31 July 2023 to 06 August 2023, aimed to disrupt criminal activities before and during the weekend which usually threatens the safety of the communities within the Province.

Of the total arrests (1568), the breakdown includes some of the following:  

1. 54 wanted suspects
2. 11 arrests for murder and 7 for attempted murder; 
3. 36 arrests were made for property related crime such as burglaries and thefts; 
4. 144 arrest for assaults with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm 
5. 189 for common assaults; 
6. 573 arrests were affected for an array of other crime.  

Seizures from the same operation include the follows: 

1. 11 Firearms 
2. 344 rounds of ammunition from different calibres
3. 18.84 kg  dagga, and 62 268 mandrax tablets
4. 248.65 litres of liquor
5. 58 kg of copper cable and
6. 103 dangerous weapons 

The high density integrated operations comprised various units such as Vispol, Detectives, Crime Intelligence, AGU, POP, Law Enforcement, other specialised units, K9, private security companies and neighbourhood watch structures. Operations targeted illegal liquor outlets, suspected drug outlets and compliance inspections carried out at licensed liquor outlets.

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