The South African Police Service (SAPS) apprehended 617 suspects during Operation Shanela, which was conducted in the North West from 2 – 6 November.
The suspects were arrested for rape, murder, assault GBH [grievous bodily harm], malicious damage to property, burglary in residential and business premises, theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle, theft out of/from motor vehicle and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, among others.
Of the 617 arrested suspects, 181 were wanted for contact crimes like murder, attempted murder, rape, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, assault common, house robbery and business robbery.
Moreover, 65 undocumented persons were taken in for processing.
The arrests were effected through the execution of several actions, which included stop and searches, road blocks, vehicle check points, visiting and inspecting of licensed/unlicensed liquor premises, second-hand goods dealers, tracing of wanted suspects and many others.
The operation also resulted in the confiscation of mandrax tablets, four dangerous weapons, three handguns, one rifle, 29 rounds of ammunition, 20 cellphones, liquor and copper cables.
In Mahikeng on Thursday, a 25-year-old man was arrested for being in possession of a suspected stolen vehicle.
During this joint intelligence-led operation, police followed up on a tip-off about suspects in possession of a suspected stolen vehicle.
They immediately went to his home and a search was conducted. Subsequently, a white Nissan NP 200, which was reported hijacked in Mmabatho in October 2023 was seized, as well as an empty 9mm magazine, nine rounds of rifle ammunition and shotgun ammunition were recovered.
The 25-year-old suspect and others, who were arrested during Operation Shanela, are expected to appear in different courts around the province today, while others appeared in courts Monday.
The provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, commended the police for the arrests, and thanked the members for working hard to keep suspects behind bars in the province.
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