During the provincial Operation Shanela, road blocks were held and liquor premises, scrap yards, and recycling premises were visited and searched. Photo: SAPS
Intensive clampdowns across the Free State, which formed part of Operation Shanela, saw the police arresting 279 wanted suspects for crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder, rape, and grievous bodily harm (GBH).
A further 1 119 suspects were arrested, of which 118 were for assault with GBH, 155 for common assault, 41 for rape, 58 for possession of dangerous weapons, 36 for driving under the influence, and 52 for illicit mining, amongst others.
The operations were executed from 26 August to 1 September.
Shanela is an inter-departmental operation between different law enforcement agencies in the Free State. These combined crackdowns continue to squeeze space for criminals in the province.
The purpose of the operation was to curb trio crimes like carjacking, house and business robberies, firearm possession, murders, and rape.
During the operations, the combined forces searched premises, people, and vehicles. Road blocks were held and liquor premises, scrap yards, and recycling premises were visited and searched.
The police managed to confiscate alcohol beverages, counterfeit goods, dangerous weapons, cellphones, dagga, drugs, firearms, and money believed to be proceeds of crime. This will be used as evidence where needed during the court proceeding.
All will appear in different courts on different days throughout the province. “The firearms confiscated will be sent to ballistics to ensure that they were not used in the commission of other crimes,” says Sgt Sinah Mpakane, spokesperson for the Free State police.
Marti Will
www.news24.com
