FREE STATE – Police arrested 1 457 suspects across the Free State during a week-long series of high-density crime prevention operations under Operation Shanela II, targeting violent crime, illegal drugs, illegal mining and essential infrastructure theft.
The multidisciplinary operation, conducted between 20 and 26 July, forms part of the South African Police Service‘s ongoing strategy to disrupt criminal activity through intelligence-driven policing and increased visibility.
Police, supported by other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders, conducted stop-and-search operations, vehicle checkpoints and roadblocks throughout the province.
During the operation, officers stopped and searched 14,115 vehicles. They also carried out 2,784 farm labour compliance inspections, 132 formal and informal business inspections, and visited 154 scrapyards through the Firearms, Liquor and Second-Hand Goods (FLASH) component.
More than 14 00 vehicles stopped and hundreds arrested for violent crimes
The coordinated operations across the Free State’s five districts resulted in hundreds of arrests for serious offences.
Police arrested:
- 325 suspects for assault
- 36 for attempted murder
- 29 for robbery
- 21 for rape
- 13 for murder
- 33 for malicious damage to property
- 24 for burglary
A further 63 suspects were arrested for possession of dangerous weapons, while another 23 were arrested for the unlawful possession of ammunition. Police recovered 65 rounds of live ammunition.
Drug enforcement a key focus
Drug-related crime remained a priority during the operation.
Police arrested 90 suspects for possession of drugs and six for drug dealing. Seized substances included mandrax, crystal methamphetamine and cocaine.
Three suspects were also arrested in connection with vehicle hijackings.
Meanwhile, detective tracing teams across the province arrested 321 wanted suspects, including individuals with outstanding warrants of arrest.
Copper cable worth R300 000 recovered
One of the operation’s major successes was the interception of stolen copper cable valued at approximately R300,000 near Glen.
Members of the Bloemfontein Flying Squad acted on intelligence about a truck allegedly transporting stolen copper cable from Bloemfontein to Johannesburg.
The truck was intercepted and the 43-year-old driver arrested.
According to police, the driver claimed he had travelled from Wadeville in Germiston to collect recyclable material at a scrap metal business in Oranjesig.
The vehicle was escorted to Bainsvlei Police Station, where technicians from Telkom and Eskom identified the recovered cable as stolen.
A case of damaging essential infrastructure and possession of suspected stolen property has been registered at Glen Police Station.
Transformer oil theft foiled
In a separate operation, members of the Heuningspruit Client Service Centre, specialised SAPS units and private security arrested three men aged 27, 42 and 43.
Police stopped a truck transporting two large tanks, one of which contained transformer oil valued at approximately R36,000.
Investigators believe the oil had recently been drained from transformers at the Serfontein Transnet substation.
An intelligence-driven investigation into a fatal shooting in JB Mafora, Mangaung, led to the arrest of two 30-year-old men at a local tavern.
Police said the arrests formed part of ongoing efforts to bring those responsible for violent crime to justice.
In Zastron, police acting on information searched a mechanical workshop and discovered 21 live shotgun cartridges hidden inside a cupboard.
A 41-year-old man was arrested for the unlawful possession of ammunition.
Illegal mining and immigration enforcement
Police continued their crackdown on illegal mining activities across the province, arresting 15 suspected illegal miners.
Gold-bearing material and mining equipment were confiscated during the operation.
In addition, officials from the Department of Home Affairs processed 134 undocumented foreign nationals, who were handed over to SAPS for further processing and detention.
Joint roadblocks involving SAPS and provincial and municipal traffic authorities resulted in the arrest of 325 motorists for various Road Traffic Act offences.
Police also arrested 45 drivers for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Police said Operation Shanela II will continue across the Free State as part of ongoing efforts to combat violent crime, dismantle organised criminal networks, protect critical infrastructure and improve community safety.
Authorities urged members of the public to continue reporting criminal activity, saying community cooperation remains vital in the fight against crime.
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