The Old Warmbaths road in Hammanskraal, Tshwane came to a standstill on Thursday morning after
Police’s Operation Shanela saw the arrest of 374 suspects for various crimes ranging from GBV, armed robbery, murder, attempted murder, rape, car hijacking and one unlicenced firearm was recovered.
This operation was a coordination of various agencies, including the Departments of Home Affairs, Labour, Gauteng Traffic Department, Tshwane Metro Police Department, Tracker, Crime Prevention Wardens, Community Policing Forums and Councilors.
Tshwane District Commissioner Major General Azwindini Nengovhela told Tshwane Talks that the operation started on Wednesday and the first thing they did was to go through the crime intelligence operatives in various places where they source information that can help them to combat crime.
He said the Hammanskraal Police Station is what they call a contact crime station where majority of the crimes are committed by a person who is able to see the victim. The perpetrator and victim have an eye-to-eye contact during the commission of such offence.
Nengovhela said the operation entailed high-visibility patrols in crime hotspots, compliance inspections, and raids on illicit liquor outlets. Throughout the operation, Tshwane Detective teams successfully apprehended suspects whom amongst them were 61 individuals involved in gender-based violence, 4 charged with murder, 3 with attempted murder, 2 involved in armed robbery, and 5 apprehended for rape.
They were supported by three uniformed groups comprising two compliance teams and a roadblock group. Three illegal liquor outlets were closed, and 186 200 milliliters of liquor was confiscated.
Two people were arrested for possession of 3200 illicit lose cigarettes. 2 persons were arrested for possession of Dagga with 179 ziplock plastic bags and 37 balls of dagga on them.
Furthermore, 40 undocumented immigrants were detained and will undergo deportation proceedings once legal matters are finalized.
“I would like to extend my sincere appreciation and congratulations to all members who selflessly.
participated in this highly successful operation,” Nengovhela concluded.