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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 12 819 suspects from the period starting, Monday, 14 October 2024 ending on Sunday, 20 October 2024.
Through OPERATION SHANELA, the SAPS has taken a bold and decisive approach in dealing with crime in the country through crime fighting activities such as tracking operations, roadblocks, high visibility patrols, stop and searches as well as tracing of wanted suspects.
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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1 969 wanted suspects were arrested of which 126 of these suspects were wanted for rape, 39 for murder and 733 for assault to cause grievious bodily harm (GBH);
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144 suspects were arrested for murder, 45 of these suspects were arrested in Eastern Cape and while Western Cape arrested 34;
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136 suspects were arrested for attempted murder;
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229 suspects were arrested for rape, 25 more arrests than the previous week. KwaZulu-Natal arrested majority of these suspects with 108 arrests;
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1 581 suspects were arrested for assault GBH during this period;
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212 drug dealers were also arrested, 59 more arrests than the previous period;
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1 308 suspects were arrested for being in possession of drugs, 577 of these suspects were arrested in Western Cape;
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114 suspects were arrested for being in the illegal possession of firearms, 29 of these suspects were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal while Western Cape arrested 28;
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550 suspects were arrested for the illegal dealing in liquor, KwaZulu-Natal arrested 177 while Mpumalanga arrested 148 suspects;
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407 drivers were arrested for drunk and driving, majority of these suspects were arrested in Gauteng (104)
Under recoveries and confiscations, police registered the following successes:
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138 firearms were confiscated in the past week, 28 of these firearms were confiscated during police operations in Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal confiscated 23 while 18 were confiscated in Eastern Cape;
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2 295 rounds of ammunition were confiscated;
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57 hijacked and stolen vehicles were also recovered during this week’s operations.
Highlights of major takedowns and other successes include the following:
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Two more suspects who are related to Sergeant Rachel Shokane Kutumela have been arrested for their role in the six insurance murders case. The pair was arrested by the SAPS Limpopo tracking team in Mabokelele village on 17 October 2024 and already made their first appearance in court.
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The SAPS believes it recovered four high calibre firearms used in the commission of the crime that led to the killing of the eighteen Lusikisiki victims. Through intelligence and meticulous detective work, these firearms were recovered on 17 October 2024. Two suspects were arrested after they were found in possession of these firearms.
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SAPS welcomed 1013 new constables within the SAPS ranks. The cohort of new contsables that stood on parade on Friday, 18 October 2024 in the Western Cape commenced with their training in February 2024.
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Police intercepted 10 kilograms of rhino horn pieces at OR Tambo International Airport at the cargo shipment warehouse area. These rhino horn pieces were destined for China, no arrests were made and investigations are still underway.
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620 SAPS members took part in the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon over the weekend. The National Commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola says SAPS remains committed in promoting fitness and wellness amongst its employees. General Masemola also says that taking part in marathons, is another way of ensuring police officers stay physically fit to respond to the call of duty.
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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