Operation Shanela operations running parallel with Festive season operations have netted nearly 1 000 suspects between 1-7 January 2024 in all eight districts in the Eastern Cape.
The deployment of maximum foot soldiers in shopping malls, beaches and major cities in the province have paid dividends, as police managed to minimise serious and violent crimes during this hectic period of the year. In order to ensure that all people and visitors in the Province enjoyed their festive holidays, the Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene together with her senior managers worked on the ground with the men and women in blue intensifying manpower and resources in hotspot areas. These weekly high density operations focused on enhanced proactive policing and succeeded in squeezing the space for criminal elements and their illegal activities. A total of 969 suspects were arrested in the first seven days of 2024 in the Eastern Cape.
The following are some of the recorded successes:
– Persons searched during stop and searches, roadblocks and at vehicle check points: 16 113
– Vehicles searched at roadblocks and vehicle check points: 6 067
– Tracking operations conducted : 46
– Tracing operations of wanted suspects by detectives : 71
– Closure of illegal taverns/sheebens closed: 03
– Inspections conducted to ensure compliance of liquor laws: 1 756
Confiscations included:
5.24 kilograms of dagga
127.98 grams of Crystal Meth (tik)
92 grams of Nyaope
176 Mandrax tablets
5.08 grams of Mandrax powder
Liquor: 1 117 litres
Handguns (firearms): 13
Homemade (firearms): 02
Rifles: 02
Shotgun: 01
Vehicles: 09
The Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene commended all the police officials including senior officers who worked tirelessly to serve and protect the citizens of this Province. “Through integrated policing with other law enforcement agencies and private security companies, we have managed to arrest almost 1000 suspects. Drunken drivers were not spared any mercy. Crimes such as rapes during this festive period is concerning and more has to be done to protect women from these sexual attacks,” added Lt Gen Mene.
