More than 1 000 suspects were arrested during a province-wide high-density Operation Shanela conducted across Gauteng’s five policing districts on Saturday, August 29.
Gauteng police confirmed that 1 064 suspects were arrested as law enforcement intensified operations targeting wanted suspects, illegal activities and non-compliance with the law.
Among those arrested were 116 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol, while 163 people were detained for allegedly being in the country without the required documentation.
Acting Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana led the provincial operation in the Jeppe and Cleveland policing precincts, where a roadblock resulted in 84 people being arrested for allegedly being in the country without documentation.
Police also closed 10 liquor outlets for non-compliance and arrested 13 motorists for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol during the operation.
Ahead of the high-density operation, detectives conducted overnight raids across the province and arrested 731 wanted suspects for various offences. Of these, 176 were wanted in connection with crimes against women and children.
“Operation Shanela continues to demonstrate the commitment of the South African Police Service and its law enforcement partners to intensify the fight against crime and ensure safer communities across Gauteng,” police said.
The multidisciplinary operation involved SAPS, the Department of Home Affairs, traffic officers, Community Policing Forums and private security companies.
Operation Shanela forms part of ongoing high-density policing interventions aimed at increasing police visibility, tracing wanted suspects and addressing priority crimes across Gauteng.
