Police to intensify operations in an effort to combat crime

Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni warned that police in Gauteng will intensify Operation Shanela across the five districts.

During a meeting held recently, the new Provincial Police Commissioner was joined by Deputy Provincial Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana, as well as CPF chairpersons and pastors from local churches, members of taxi associations, security companies, the Department of Home Affairs even officials from the Department of Labour and Social Development.

According to Mthombeni, all gathered to discuss crime hot spots and challenges experienced in the policing areas where high-density Operation Shanela’s multidisciplinary forces would operate.
He said Johannesburg, for example, is the district with the highest contributor to crime in the province.

“Since April this year, the Provincial Operation Shanela has concentrated intervention efforts in these areas to assist the affected police stations to prevent and combat crime. The high contributing police stations in the district include Johannesburg Central, Hillbrow, Roodepoort, Jeppe and Honeydew.”

Mthombeni added that Operation Shanela is a crime prevention and combating operation to ensure that the province reduces crime adding that it has achieved notable successes.

“Operation Shanela in Gauteng is conducted in three phases; the overnight suspects raiding by detectives, a multidisciplinary roadblock and compliance inspections at liquor outlets, second-hand goods dealers as well as intelligence-driven raids at addresses searching for drugs and unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

“These operations are conducted simultaneously in all five districts, Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, West Rand and Sedibeng. The operations are continuous to ensure that the inhabitants of Gauteng province are and feel safe.”