Kimberley- 05 November 2023: The SAPS multi-discliplinary high density operation, dubbed Operation Shanela, remains deliberate and international in reducing crime in all hotspot areas in the province. A total of 12 224 disruptive actions in hotspot areas across the province were executed which commenced on Thursday, 2 November 2023 and concluded on Sunday, 05 November 2023.
The police actions included 37 Vehicle Check Points and 11 roadblocks during which a 2429 vehicles were stopped and 4036 persons were searched. Numerous compliance inspections by teams comprising of SAPS and external roleplayers were conducted at second-hand dealers, scrapyards, liquor premises, tuckshops, formal and informal businesses as well as mines. 155 Suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder, robbery, assault, burglary, dealing and possession of drugs, stock theft, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, illegal dealing in liquor and possession of precious metals.
Detectives also executed tracing operations which led to the apprehension and arrest of 144 daily wanted suspects for various crimes committed in the five districts namely Frances Baard, Namakwa, ZF Mgcawu, John Taolo Gaetsewe and Pixley ka Seme Districts. During the 1411 patrols and disruptive actions, police seized drugs , alcoholic beverages, dangerous weapons and cash believed to be the proceeds of crime.
Significant drug related successes were achieved which included the arrest of a 47 year old male with drugs after he failed to stop at a VCP on the N10 near Upington on 02 November 2023. The Upington K-9 unit, Border police and Highway patrol chased a vehicle and confiscated Tik worth about R12 000-00 from the suspect.
In a separate incident also on 02 November 2023 , the Colesburg Highway Patrol attended to an accident scene on the N1 road and seized bags of dagga inside and outside the truck with a street value of about R100 000-00 and one male(57) was arrested.
The Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola indicated that operations will continue to remain intentional in addressing all categories crimes in the province during the Festive Season and beyond. She lauded the SAPS, external stakeholders and the community for their unabated efforts in fighting crime as a collective in the Northern Cape Province.