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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 15 871 suspects from the period starting, Monday, 09 December 2024 ending on Sunday, 15 December 2024.
Through OPERATION SHANELA, the SAPS continues to take a bold and decisive approach in dealing with crime in the country. These crime fighting activities include 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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2 327 wanted suspects were arrested. These suspects were wanted for various serious and violent crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape, business and house robberies.
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157 suspects were arrested for murder, majority of these suspects were arrested in Eastern Cape (37), followed by Gauteng (28), and Western Cape (27)
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150 suspects were arrested for attempted murder;
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289 suspects were arrested for rape, again KwaZulu-Natal arrested majority of these suspects with 155 arrests;
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2 249 suspects were arrested for assault GBH during this period;
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264 drug dealers were arrested in the past week;
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1 660 suspects were arrested for being in possession of drugs, majority of these suspects were arrested in Western Cape (696);
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108 suspects were arrested for being in the illegal possession of firearms, majority of these suspects were arrested in Eastern Cape (28), followed by Western Cape (28), and KZN (20)
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1 688 illegal foreign nationals were also arrested during this period;
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688 drivers were arrested for drunk and driving in the past week, majority of arrests in Western Cape (133) followed by Gauteng (130), and Mpumalanga (111);
Under recoveries and confiscations, police registered the following successes:
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119 firearms were confiscated in the past week;
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1 243 rounds of ammunition were also confiscated;
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87 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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A crime intelligence driven operation led to the discovery and confiscation of R6 million worth of crystal meth found hidden in a wooden snooker pool table at OR Tambo International Airport.
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Eastern Cape police apprehended six cash-in transit robbery suspects following a shootout with law enforcement agencies on the M17 near Motherwell. During the arrest, the team recovered five rifles, two pistols, money bags with cash and gloves and balaclavas.
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On 10 December 2024, the Lichtenburg K9 and Mahikeng Flying Squad members executed a search and seizure warrant at a Nooitgedacht farm and arrested a 45-year-old man for unlawful possession of firearms. Five rifles, two firearms and 83 ammunition were seized at the scene.
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Limpopo police arrested three men and one woman suspected of human trafficking of seven children from Zimbabwe into South Africa. Toyota Quantum minibus carrying four adults and ten children was intercepted along the N1 at Beitbridge. Victims were taken to the place of safety.
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OPERATION VALA UMGODI task teams continue to register great strides in preventing and combatting illegal mining in the country. Just last week alone, police arrested 82 suspects for illegal mining, and the majority of these suspects were arrested in the North West province with 42 arrests.
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Gauteng Police seized counterfeit goods worth more than R3 million in Johannesburg. Seventeen suspects were arrested for dealing with counterfeit and illicit goods.
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Mpumalanga Police arrested a 20- year-old man suspected of smuggling dagga worth R102 000 into the country from the Kingdom of Eswatini. Police intercepted a truck during the Operation Safer Festive and discovered four bags of compressed dagga.
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A multi-disciplinary team conducted an operation that led to the arrest of five men suspected of a business robbery and attempted murder case in Koppies, Free State. A stolen rifle and two pistols were also seized. The suspects are facing charges of business robbery and attempted murder.
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The suspect involved in the shooting of four people including two police officers was shot and killed in Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal.
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 Vincent Mukhathi
071 462 5516
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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