EASTERN CAPE – Eastern Cape police apprehended 1 149 suspects — including 87 motorists caught driving under the influence of alcohol — during the latest weekly Operation Shanela II sweep across the province.
Wide-ranging offences
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the remaining suspects were apprehended for crimes ranging from the illegal possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, and burglary to drug possession, murder and assault.
The operations yielded notable successes, including:
- 52 suspects arrested for murder and attempted murder
- 373 suspects arrested for assault
- 193 suspects arrested for drug possession
- 31 suspects arrested for robbery
- 21 suspects arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition
- 6 suspects arrested for vehicle hijacking
Police also seized illegal firearms, ammunition, drugs, other suspected stolen or illicit goods, and an undisclosed amount of cash.
Multidisciplinary approach
“The operations, which involved multidisciplinary teams from various SAPS units, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and law-enforcement agencies, focused on addressing serious and violent crimes, disrupting criminal activities, enforcing compliance with the law and ensuring the safety of communities and road users,” SAPS Eastern Cape said in a statement.
Police conducted roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, stop-and-search operations, compliance inspections and crime-prevention patrols in identified hotspots across the province.
SAPS management commended all members and law-enforcement partners involved in the operations, and reiterated that Operation Shanela II would continue to intensify efforts to prevent and combat crime throughout the Eastern Cape.
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