Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene flanked by her senior Deputy Provincial Commissioners, the NMB District Commissioner and Station Commanders in the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) metro took to the streets yesterday evening ensuring that safer festive season operations as well as Operation Shanela impacted in the hotspot areas of the metro.
Also forming part of the operations was Maj Gen Selepe from the National Operational Command Centre in Head Office.
The operations kicked off at 18:00 on Saturday, November 18 with high visibility concentration in the problematic areas of Gelvandale, Kwadwesi and Motherwell. Liquor and firearm compliance checks were conducted as well as blue light patrols and vehicle check point stop and searches.
Search warrants were executed at houses in the Gelvandale area. The multidisciplinary operation included police members from 18 police stations, the K9 unit, Flying Squad, Anti-Gang Unit, Public Order Policing and the metro police officials.
Successes achieved during this period in NMB are as follows:
- A total of 349 vehicles were stopped and searched at the two vehicle check points in Kwamagaxi and Gelvandale.
- 20 traffic fines were issued.
- 5 taverns visited for compliance.
- 7 arrests effected for possession of drugs, drunk and disorderly behaviour and murder.
Shanela operations were conducted throughout the week with District Commissioners taking the lead in ensuring the safety of their communities within their respective districts.
During these operations, at least 25 people were arrested for illegal possession of firearms, 12 for illegal possession of ammunition, 129 suspects detained for possession of drugs and 100 people charged for illegally dealing in liquor.
A total of 129 firearms were confiscated throughout the Province. Lt Gen Mene in addressing the officers and members on parade last night in NMB reiterated that play time is over for criminals as police will be hard at work.
“As we embrace the festive season, we, the SAPS are dedicated to proactive measures in securing the safety of all our communities. While success may not be measured in arrests, our focus is on prevention. To those contemplating criminal activities, be warned – our vigilance is heightened and we are ready.”
“Together with our force multipliers, operations will be held throughout the province in our efforts to reduce stubborn crimes. Although our recent crime statistics show that we have succeeded in reducing crime in many problematic areas, we will not rest until all people in this Province are, and feel safe.”
“While executing our duties, we will also not hesitate to decisively deal with those that attack and kill our police officers. I urge all police officers, to ensure your safety at all times and to use the tools provided to you to stay safe,” Mene added.
