The South African Police Services in Tshwane conducted law-enforcement activities which resulted in the arrest of 298 people during the Operation Shanela initiative on Thursday morning at Rietgat, Soshanguve Tshwane .
“Under the leadership of Brigadier Samuel Thine, the Tshwane Police officers conducted comprehensive law-enforcement activities within the Rietgat SAPS precinct, using a multi-disciplinary approach to combat crime in the area,” said Communications Coordinator for Tshwane District Warrant Officer Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk.
“This Operation was conducted in collaboration with various agencies, including the Department of Home Affairs, Labour, Gauteng Traffic Department, Tshwane Metro Police Department, Crime Prevention Wardens,Community Policing Forums and elected Ward Councillors,” said van Dyk.
Van Dyk added that members from different SAPS stations and units operating within the Tshwane Policing area played a significant role in the operations.
“The operation involved high-visibility patrols in crime hotspots, compliance inspections and raids on illicit liquor outlets,” said van Dyk.
According to van Dyk, Tshwane detectives successfully successfully apprehended 297 suspects, including cases of gender- based violence with 104 persons arrested including 5 of them for murder, 3 for armed robbery and 5 for rape.
“Three uniformed groups, comprising two tactical teams and one one one roadblock group, were deployed to police the Rietgat area,” he said.
“The tactical teams inspected twenty- one liquor premises, identifying five as non-compliat with liquor regulations,” explained van Dyk.
Van Dyk said a total of 338, 370 ml of liquor was confiscated and will be destroyed pending the finalisation of criminal case against the accused.
He said 6 undocumented immigrants were detained for deportation pending the conclusion of the legal processes.
According to van Dyk, one person was arrested for possession of dagga while another was apprehended for dealing in narcotics.
“Brigadier Thine extends gratitude to all stakeholders for their unwavering dedication to ensuring the safety and security of the citizens,” said van Dyk.