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Media Statement
South African Police Service (SAPS)
PRETORIA – Through its high-density operations commonly known as OPERATION SHANELA, the South African Police Service (SAPS) arrested 11 935 suspects from the period starting, Monday, 16 September ending Sunday, 22 September 2024.
The police remain relentless in its efforts to deal decisively with crime in the country through detectives and crime intelligence tracing operations, roadblocks as well as stop and searches.
All Shanela operations are led by the Provincial Commissioner of each province.
Just this week alone, the following arrests were made:
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1 985 wanted suspects were arrested for crimes that included, amongst others; murder, attempted murder, rape, possession of illegal firearms, business and house robberies;
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144 suspects were arrested for murder of which 35 of these murder suspects were arrested in the province of KwaZulu-Natal;
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125 suspects were arrested for attempted murder;
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183 suspects were arrested for rape, 57 of them were arrested in Gauteng province;
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123 suspects were arrested for being in the illegal possession of firearms, 39 of these suspects were arrested in the Western Cape;
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1 513 suspects were arrested for Assault GBH;
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480 suspects were arrested for the illegal dealing in liquor, 174 of these arrests were made in MP while 125 were made in KZN;
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217 drug dealers were also arrested during this period;
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348 were arrested for drunk and driving, 100 were arrested in WC and 69 were arrested in GP;
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784 suspects were arrested for being in possession of drugs, 135 of these arrests were made in the Eastern Cape
Under recoveries and confiscations, police registered the following successes:
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115 firearms were confiscated during operations, 26 of these firearms were confiscated during police operations in WC, while KZN confiscated 22;
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1 107 rounds of ammunition were confiscated;
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44 hijacked and stolen vehicles were also recovered during this week’s operations
A highlight of major takedowns and other successes include the following:
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A Namibian drug mule was arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport who swallowed more than 60 bullets of suspected cocaine. Just a week ago, police also arrested a Nigerian drug mule at this same airport;
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Through the collaboration between the United Kingdom (UK) authorities, Interpol, SAPS and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI – “Hawks”), former Eskom contractor, Michael Lomas was successfully extradited back to South Africa to face multiple charges of fraud and corruption. Lomas is expected to appear before the Palm Ridge Court on 27 September 2023 for formal bail application;
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OPERATION VALA UMGODI continues to record significant successes since it’s activation in December 2023. This week, 100 illegal miners were arrested of which 58 of them were arrested in Mpumalanga;
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Police destroyed a man-made bridge over the Limpopo River near the Beitbridge Border post in an effort to prevent and combat illicit mining activities as well as the illegal entering of undocumented foreign nationals and illicit goods into the country;
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SAPS’ Search and Rescue teams were deployed to assist travellers who were stranded on the N3 toll route due to the heavy snow fall and road closures over large parts of KZN this weekend. These teams played a significant role in ensuring travellers are brought to safety.
Police will continue with their operations by asserting the authority of the state to ensure the safety and security of all South Africans and visitors to the country.
Ends
Enquiries:
Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk
067 595 0163
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/SAPoliceService
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SAPoliceService
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sapoliceservice_za/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SAPoliceService
Website: www.saps.gov.za
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