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News: 12 187 Suspects arrested during this week’s nationwide Shanela Operations
2024/10/07

Media Statement
South African Police Service

 

PRETORIA - Through its high-density operations commonly known as OPERATION SHANELA, the South African Police Service (SAPS) arrested 12 187 suspects from the period starting, Monday, 30 September ending Sunday, 06 October September 2024.

Through OPERATION SHANELA, the SAPS has taken a bold an decisive approach in dealing with crime in the country through tracking and tracing operations, roadblocks, high visibility patrols as well as stop and searches.

All SHANELA operations are led by the Provincial Commissioner of each province.

Just this week alone, the following arrests were made:

▶️1 640 suspects were arrested who were wanted for crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape and house robbery;

▶️157 suspects were arrested for murder;

▶️94 suspects were arrested for attempted murder;

▶️242 suspects were arrested for rape, KwaZulu-Natal arrested majority of them with 108 arrests;

▶️ 266 drug dealers were also arrested during this period;

▶️ 1 621 suspects were arrested for being in possession of drugs, 814 of these arrests were made in Western Cape

▶️ 1 496 suspects were arrested for assault GBH, 364 more arrests than the previous week;

▶️109 suspects were arrested for being in the illegal possession of firearms, 33 of these suspects were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal while Western Cape arrested 30;

▶️ 535 suspects were arrested for the illegal dealing in liquor, 199 of these arrests were made in Mpumalanga while 180 were made in KZN;

▶️ 430 drivers were arrested for drunk and driving of which 117 of them were arrested in Mpumalanga

Under recoveries and confiscations, police registered the following successes:

 

▶️131 firearms were confiscated during operations, 30 of these firearms were confiscated during police operations in KwaZulu-Natal, while Western Cape confiscated 23;

▶️2 969 rounds of ammunition were confiscated;

▶️58 hijacked and stolen vehicles were also recovered during this week's operations

A highlight of major takedowns and other successes include the following:

▶️ Every week in the last month, SAPS has arrested at least one drug mule at OR Tambo International Airport. This week alone, police arrested three drug mules that include two Dutch traffickers who were found with 80kg of Khat. On Sunday, 06 October 2024 police arrested a 43-year-old Paraguayan national at the airport. He has so far released 117 bullets suspected to contain cocaine.

▶️ National Commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola applauded SAPS FCS detective, Warrant Officer John Tlala Mokoena for securing 42 life terms and 791 years for serial rapist Nkosinathi Phakathi. The North Gauteng High Court sitting in Palm Ridge Magistrates’ court sentenced Phakathi on Friday, 04 October 2024.

▶️ General Fannie Masemola also congratulated Lieutenant Colonel Kgothatso Khunou for walking away as overall winner in the aviation category at the Forty under 40 awards. This prestigious event is held to honour and celebrate young achievers under the age of 40 and took place over the weekend at the Raddison Blue Hotel in Kempton Park. Khunou is the first female chief helicopter pilot attached the SAPS Airwing the Free State and one out of 17 female pilots nationwide.

▶️ On Friday, 03 October 2024, 1 812 graduates who underwent a six-month Introductory Police Learning Development Programme (IPDLP) stood on parade during passing out parades held at various SAPS academies.This is the first at batch of the 2024/2025 Project 10 000 cohort to graduate from police college and will be deployed at various police stations across the country to capacitate and boost grassroots level of policing.

▶️ OPERATION VALA UMGODI continues to make significant strides in preventing and combating illegal mining activities in the country. This week, 93 illegal miners were arrested of which 58 of them were arrested in Mpumalanga.

Police will continue with their operations by asserting the authority of the state to ensure the safety and security of all South Africans and visitors to the country. 
End

 

Enquiries:
Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk
067 595 0163

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Website: www.saps.gov.za

 


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