| Motherwell rapist sentenced to 11 life terms, 163 rape suspects and 222 drug dealers among 15 560 arrested this week | |
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| Date Published | |
| 2025/04/30 | |
| Details | |
Media Statement PRETORIA - OPERATION SHANELA continues to register commendable progress in the fight against crime. Just this past week alone, 15 560 suspects were arrested through this multidisciplinary operation. Through high visibility patrols, stop and searches and the tracing of wanted suspects, police are hard at work in stamping the authority of the state. The SAPS remains relentless in its efforts to prevent and combat gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) with 163 rape suspects arrested nationwide in the past week. Majority of these suspects were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal (58). Also, on 28 March 2025, the High Court in Gqeberha sentenced 31-year-old Thembelani "Raroro" Andries to11 life terms for raping six young boys in Motherwell during 2015, as well as a prior conviction for attempted rape in Aliwal North in 2014. On 3 May 2015, six boys aged between 11 and 13 were swimming at Swartkops Dam near Motherwell when they were approached by Sambo. He lured them under false pretenses, claiming they would help slaughter a springbok in nearby bushes. After the attack, he ordered them to leave without looking back, evading immediate arrest as he was unknown to the victims. Another major success includes the seizure of 8 136 units of abalone, also known as perlemoen, with an estimate value of R1.9 million. The intelligence driven operation was carried out on 26 April 2025 in Douglas, Northern Cape leading to the arrest of five suspects, two Malawian nationals and three Chinese nationals. Over and above these, the following arrests were made across the country:
Highlights of major takedowns and other successes include the following: Gender-Based Violence (GBV): On 16 April 2025, a woman was allegedly attacked by her ex-boyfriend while at home with her mother. The suspect reportedly assaulted the mother before proceeding to violently attack the young woman, allegedly gouging both of her eyes with a screwdriver. She is currently receiving treatment at the Harry Gwala District Hospital. The accused was traced and arrested soon after the incident and appeared in the Richmond Magistrate Court on 29 April 2025, for a bail application. Conviction: On Thursday, 24 April 2025, the Skukuza Regional Court sentenced Nelson Sambo (41), a Mozambican national, to 20 years’ imprisonment for rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park. Sambo and an accomplice were found in possession of two sets of rhino horns, a hunting rifle, twenty rounds of ammunition, as well as three knives. Serious and Violent Crime: Police in KwaZulu-Natal have arrested three suspects who are believed to be members of a local criminal gang after they were found in possession of firearms and ammunition at Bester in Inanda on 24 April 2025. Trio Task Team members from Ntuzuma and Newlands East executed an intelligence-led operation and found a group of young men inside a house. Upon searching them, two of them were found to be in possession of firearms, whereas the other one was found in possession of ammunition. The suspects were arrested for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. They have been linked with several murder cases which they allegedly committed at Bester and around Inanda. Operation Vala Umgodi continues to deal decisively with those involved with illegal mining activities in the country. Over the past two weeks, VALA UMGODI operations in Northern Cape led to the seizure of more than 100 unpolished diamonds in and around Kleinsee and Port Nolloth leading to the arrest of 15 illegal miners. 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. Ends
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