SAPS gives updates on Operation Shanela

 PHOTO: shutterstock 

The department of police services held a media briefing to deliver the updates on Operation Shanela. Operation Shanela was formed on 8 May, and the police department says it continues to implement the five pillar approach to reduce the volumes of crime in communities.

The operation aims to see all provincial commissioners and senior management from different provinces, leading and taking part in weekly crime prevention through stop and searches, vehicle check points, roadblocks, cordon and searches among other things.

According to National Commissioner of Police, General Fannie Masemola, the officers are seeing the positive impact of the operations are intensified over the weekend when crime is most likely to occur and be reported. Since these weekend operations began, 21 200 suspects were arrested for various crimes ranging from murder, rape and malicious damage to property.  

“138 vehicles were recovered during this reporting period and 397 grams of cocaine, 861 grams of crack cocaine, 8 047 grams of crystal meth 19 533 grams of dagga and more drugs were seized”, said General Masemola.

Crime statistics show that firearms are the most used weapons in to commit crime, especially murder. The mass shootings in parts of the country remain a concern.  215 151 firearms and more than 2 million rounds of ammunition have been destroyed from 2019 until now. 

General Masemola announced that more than 17 000 suspects were arrested for Gender Based Violence and Femicide related cases during the past financial year. 

Meanwhile, the Lockdown operation in the Western Cape is still running with the focus on the six priority police stations that are experiencing different crimes in Delft, Mfuleni, Nyanga, Harare, Lingelethu-West and Khayelitsha.

Done By: Esona Mfazwe