Operation targeting priority crimes arrests 444 suspects in Northern Cape

SAPS, in collaboration with community policing structures and external stakeholders, conducted a week-long operation in the Northern Cape, resulting in 444 arrests for various crimes, including serious offences such as murder and rape, and significant seizures of illegal items, while intensifying efforts against crimes targeting women.

IN A CONCERTED EFFORT to tackle priority crimes and improve community safety, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has partnered with community policing structures, including the Blue Patrollers, and other external stakeholders as it continues Operation Shanela in the Northern Cape.

According to provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Molefi Shemane, the latest week-long operation took place from Monday, July 29 to Sunday, August 4 and involved a series of law enforcement activities across the province.

The various actions included vehicle checkpoints (VCPs), stop and search, roadblocks, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, searches for wanted suspects, as well as awareness campaigns in schools and community outreach programs in churches.

During the week-long operation, law enforcement arrested 444 suspects for various crimes including drug trafficking, illegal sale of alcohol, robbery, murder, rape, assault, simple assault, residential and business burglaries, motor vehicle theft, malicious damage to property, driving under the influence of alcohol and illegal migration.

This included the arrest of 181 wanted suspects who were located and apprehended by detectives for serious crimes including murder, rape, assault, domestic violence and illegal possession of firearms.

As part of their operations, law enforcement officers also conducted road checks and roadblocks throughout the province. They stopped and searched 2,775 vehicles, checked 5,957 people and raided 83 premises.

In addition, compliance checks were conducted on second-hand goods dealers, liquor stores, formal and informal businesses, mines and farms. These efforts led to the closure of 19 unlicensed liquor stores.

Police also confiscated copper cables, dangerous weapons, firearms and ammunition, thousands of litres of alcoholic beverages and concoctions, drugs and money suspected to be the proceeds of crime.

Sergeant Shemane added that during Women’s Month, the police were stepping up efforts to combat crimes against women, including domestic violence, rape and assault. Victims are encouraged to “break the silence” and speak out instead of protecting the perpetrators of these reprehensible acts.

Shemane reminded the audience: “If you see something, say it.”