The intensity of the weekly high density Operation Shanela in the Eastern Cape was felt in all sectors of society, from a hardened criminal to a speeding motorist.
For the period between 3 to 9 July 2023, police in the Eastern Cape arrested a total of 308 suspects for various crimes.
A total of 25 illegal firearms of which three were rifles were recovered. Operations conducted during the week also resulted in 31 firearm owners charged for contravening the Firearms Control Act.
The integrated crime fighting efforts of members with the assistance from other law enforcement agencies in the 8 districts are continuing to impact with arrests made for murder, rape, damage to the essential infrastructure, robbery, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition etc.
A total of 375 vehicle checkpoints among those were 21 roadblocks that were conducted in the province with 48 motorists nabbed for drunken driving. A total of 66 suspect raiding operations were carried out for wanted suspects.
The OR Tambo District remains consistent with the recovery of illegal firearms with a total recovery of eleven firearms with ammunition, bringing a total of 25 firearms that were confiscated in the Province.
Eight people were fined for contravening the Eastern Cape Liquor Act, with the closure of two unlicensed liquor outlets and with nearly 840 litres of liquor that were seized.
Police successfully arrested 135 people for possession of illicit drugs, and with an additional 41 suspected drug dealers charged for dealing in illicit drugs. Also cash of R 9 512-00 were also seized.
Members clamped down on abalone poachers and 212 units of abalone, 13 kilograms of dagga, 345 mandrax tablets (with additional 28 grams of mandrax powder) were also confiscated.
Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene reiterated, “When we said we are present during the launch of Operation Sikhona, we were meaning that men and women in blue will be felt in all corners of this Province. She added that,’ Operation Shanela will continue to focus on regular stop and searches, vehicle check points, high visibility patrols and the apprehension of wanted suspects. Police will remain committed to deal decisively with criminals. ’
