Pretoria – Thousands of suspects wanted for crimes including murder, rape, possession of illegal firearms, and business robberies have been arrested, police said Monday, (5 August 2024).
In a statement, the police said through high-intensity law enforcement operations known as “Operation Shanela” 13 996 wanted suspects were arrested between Monday, (29 July 2024), and Sunday, (4 August 2024).
“Through detectives and crime intelligence tracing operations, roadblocks, as well as stop and searches, police have taken a bold and decisive approach to protecting the communities they serve,” the statement said.
Operation Shanela is led by the SA Police Service provincial commissioners.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said in just one week, 4 065 wanted suspects for crimes such as murder, rape, possession of illegal firearms and business robberies were arrested.
Brigadier Mathe said the arrests included:
- 106 suspects were arrested for Murder
- 150 suspects were arrested for attempted murder
- 182 suspects were arrested for rape, 80 of them were arrested in the province of KwaZulu Natal
- 134 suspects were arrested for being in the illegal possession of firearms, 66 of them were arrested in the Eastern Cape
- Assault GBH continues to register a large number of arrests with 1372 suspects arrested
- 582 suspects were arrested for the illegal dealing in liquor, 262 of these arrests were effected in KwaZulu-Natal
- 240 drug dealers were arrested during this period
Brigadier Mathe said the police recovered the following:
- 158 firearms were confiscated during operations, and 47 of these were seized during police operations in Kwa-Zulu Natal. It was the second consecutive week in which police in KZN recovered a high number of firearms. In the week from 21 July to 27 July 2024, the province seized 40 firearms.
- 1 448 rounds of ammunition were also confiscated.
- 74 hijacked and stolen vehicles were also recovered during the latest operations
Major takedowns included:
- Two kidnappers were arrested and 90 undocumented Ethiopian nationals were rescued from a suspected human trafficking ring in Johannesburg.
- The DPCI (Hawks) in the Eastern Cape shot and killed five cash-in-transit suspects, while three suspects were arrested during a tracing operation.
- Counterfeit goods worth R7 million were seized in Fordsburg and Dragon City in Johannesburg.
- R300 million worth of drugs suspected to be crystal meth were seized in Fourways Johannesburg. In the same operation, a kidnapped businessman was rescued and eight kidnappers were arrested.
- KwaZulu-Natal police intercepted criminals involved in serious and violent crime across the province including suspects wanted for murders, armed robberies, and hijackings. During arrests, police were confronted by heavy gunfire. Two police officers were injured and hospitalised while more than 10 suspects were fatally wounded.
“Police will continue with their operations in stamping the authority of the state to ensure the safety and security of all people living in South Africa,” said Brigadier Mathe.
