Operations continue as police arrest 420 suspects
POTCHEFSTROOM – Operation Shanela in the province continue to ensure that crime suspects are traced and arrested. A total of 424 suspects were arrested during operations in various parts of the province between Thursday, 13 July and Sunday, 16 July 2023, for different crimes, including eight for murder, nine for rape, seven for car-jacking, 21 for illegal dealing in liquor, 32 for assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, 23 for assault common, 34 for driving under the influence of liquor, 11 for robbery at business premises, 47 illegal immigrants, 5 for burglary, 5 for illegal possession of ammunition, 5 for illegal possession of drugs and 4 for illegal possession of firearms.
On Thursday, 13 July 2023, a team consisting of the Provincial Commercial Crime Unit, Anti-Gang Unit, Serious and Violent Crime Unit (SVC) and Detectives from Mahikeng and Mmabatho did compliance inspections at identified second hand goods shops in Mahikeng.
Three suspects were arrested for being found in possession of suspected stolen property at two different shops after two stolen HP computers were found in their respective shops. The first computer was stolen during a house breaking and theft case reported in Potchefstroom on Tuesday, 3 February 2015. The 22-year-old victim allegedly left his house in Hoffman street and on his return, his computer was stolen.
The second recovered computer is the property of the State Security Agency. It was reported as stolen in Mahikeng on Sunday, 9 July 2023. The 56-year-old victim left his house in Golfview, Mahikeng and upon his return, his computer and cellular phone were stolen. The trio will appear before the Mmabatho District Court today on charges of possession of suspected stolen property and theft.
During Operation Shanela the following seizures were made:
Liquor: 688 lt
Ammunition: 75 rounds
Dagga: 481,87 kg
Cocaine: 50gr
Crystal Meth (tik): 111,3 gr
Ecstasy: 10 tablets
Mandrax: 35 tablets
Handguns:13
Shotgun: 1
Vehicles: 3
A total of 15 roadblocks were held throughout the province, 249 premises, 3 899 persons, 419 vehicles, 41 Second Hand Goods premises were searched.
During one of the operations held on Friday, 14 July 2023, by Potchefstroom Police Station and Provincial Office’ support services personnel, jointly with Provincial and Local Traffic officers, resulted in the issuing of fines to the estimated value of R37 000.00 for Road Traffic Act related offences during a road block held on the N12. Furthermore, 170 vehicles and close to 500 passengers were searched. 12 Compliance inspections were done at scrap yard premises and six at cellular phone shops. Moreover a total of 9 arrests were made for various offences.
The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena thanked all members for their continued support to decisively deal with criminality in the province.