FREE STATE – High-density operations in the Free State, falling under the umbrella of Operation Shanela, resulted in a total of 1 422 suspects being arrested.
Between 3 and 9 November, intensified operations were conducted across various parts of the province, following specific directives from Parliament aimed at ensuring that all inhabitants of South Africa feel safe and secure.
District-wide focus area
In the Lejweleputswa District, operations focused on the Goldfields areas, including Odendaalsrus, Bothaville, Thabong, Welkom, and Virginia, amongst others.
In Thabo Mofutsanyana District, focus areas included Bohlokong and Phuthaditjhaba, whilst in Mangaung Metro, operations targeted Mangaung, Boithuso, Selosesha, and Wepener.
The Fezile Dabi District concentrated primarily on Sasolburg.
Wanted suspects apprehended
Of the 1 422 suspects arrested, 388 were wanted individuals traced and apprehended by detectives. These included 101 suspects wanted for assault, 21 for rape, and others for murder, attempted murder, and various sexual offences.
Wide range of offences
A further 1 034 suspects were arrested for crimes committed during the operation, including:
• 55 for possession of dangerous weapons
• 81 for possession of drugs
• 53 for malicious damage to property
• 55 for driving under the influence of intoxicating substances
• 16 for burglary
• Various other offences
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Immigration enforcement
Police also arrested 113 undocumented foreign nationals, primarily from Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, and Nigeria, amongst others.
Significant seizures
The inter-departmental Operation Shanela, conducted jointly by various law enforcement agencies across the province, also resulted in the confiscation and recovery of drugs, firearms, tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, contraband, dangerous weapons, and vehicles.
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All firearms recovered during the operations will be sent for ballistic testing to determine whether they were used in the commission of other crimes.
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