| 2024/07/15 |
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Media Statement
FREE STATE – The community’s involvement, including private business, in the fight against crime continues to yield positive results through a multidisciplinary approach of the Operation Shanela initiative. Stop and search, roadblocks, intensive patrols at identified hotspots and increased visibility coupled with detective tracking and tracing units made it possible for operatives to arrest and detain 785 suspects. This includes 37 suspects arrested for possession of drugs, nine arrested for rape, 20 for murder and 19 for attempted murder. For possession of dangerous weapons, 24 suspects were arrested. Combating illegal mining also led to the arrest of 164 undocumented people. Eight were arrested for illegal possession of firearms, 24 for driving while under the influence of liquor and 201 for assault. Some of the highlights are as follows: – A 53-year-old male was arrested in Botshabelo after he was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm at his house. – Two firearms were recovered after four suspects, aged between 35 and 40, were arrested on R700. This is after Bloemfontein Flying Squad members received information on a hijacking incident that took place in Bergman Square. The four suspects were cornered in R700 and the two firearms were found in their possession. – Three African males, aged between 33 and 27, were arrested in Intabanzwe, Harrismith, after they were found in possession of an unlicensed firearm. Police received a tip-off about their whereabouts, and their vehicle was spotted in Las Vegas, where it was stopped and searched. An unlicensed 9mm pistol was found in the vehicle. – While on patrol, Public Order Policing Unit members received a tip-off about a 34-year-old male who was in possession of drugs. The team proceeded to the Tshiame, where sachets containing a Nyaope drug as well as money were recovered. The suspect was arrested. – The team while proceeding with patrols in Bethlehem, received information about an illegal shebeen. The team was accompanied by Bethlehem Flash members and they visited the address and it was indeed discovered that the owner is dealing without a valid liquor licence. Stock was confiscated and the owner was issued with a fine. – In Petrusburg the team arrested two males after illicit cigarettes were found at the back of a bakkie they were traveling in. The value of the illicit cigarettes is estimated at R1.7 million. – Members of the Welkom K9 Unit were on vehicle patrol when they noticed a well-known drug dealer traveling in a white Toyota Tazz. A way-laying operation was conducted together with a member of Crime Intelligence at the robots on Koppie Alleen Road, Welkom. They spotted and stopped the identified vehicle and found Crystal Meth and Crack Cocaine with an estimated street value of R250 000-00. A 38-year-old man was arrested. This week’s operation led to the recovery of four unlicensed firearms and ammunition. All these firearms are taken for ballistics. Detective tracing operations as part of the Operation Shanela also continued and more than 263 suspects arrested for various cases were found. Other successes includes 56 drivers being processed for contravention of the Traffic Act. Operations are continuing throughout the province and community members are urged to continue providing information on crimes taking place and to work with police to identify possible suspects. Ends
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