OPERATION Shanela, a weekly high-density, multi-disciplinary initiative targeting high-crime areas in the Northern Cape, ran from Wednesday to Sunday this week, focusing on reducing contact and violent crimes across all five districts.

Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock said that the SAPS, in collaboration with various role-players, executed a series of actions including vehicle checkpoints (VCPs), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections and measures to tackle the smuggling of drugs and other illegal commodities.

The acting provincial commissioner, Major-General Luntu Ngubelanga, along with district commissioners, led the teams on the ground.

During the operation, 2,853 vehicles and 5,320 individuals were stopped and searched at various VCPs and roadblocks across the Province.

Numerous compliance inspections were also carried out at second-hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security firms, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, farms and mines.

These actions resulted in the apprehension and arrest of 217 suspects for a range of offences including murder, attempted murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, malicious damage to property, drug dealing and possession, illicit mining, possession of counterfeit goods, possession of suspected stolen livestock, undocumented persons, possession of precious metals and illegal liquor dealing. The operation also led to the closure of 10 liquor outlets.

In addition, detectives in the Frances Baard, Namakwa, ZF Mgcawu, JTG and Pixley ka Seme districts arrested 287 wanted suspects during tracing operations for evading court appearances and contravening court orders.

Significant quantities of alcoholic beverages, non-ferrous metal items, drugs and cash believed to be proceeds from drug dealing were also seized during various raids.

Major-General Ngubelanga attributed the success of Operation Shanela to the support of local communities and the multi-disciplinary approach involving several role-players.

He emphasised the ongoing commitment to combating unlawful activities and providing special care to victims of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

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Operation Shanela saw the arrest of 504 suspects for various crimes, the seizure of drugs, alcohol and cash and the closure of 10 liquor outlets, following extensive vehicle checkpoints, patrols, searches and compliance inspections. Pictures: SAPS