Multidisciplinary and Integrated operations continue throughout the country as police continue to intercept, dislodge and apprehend criminals involved in petty to serious and violent crime. The roll-out of the SAPS festive season operations has seen heightened foot, vehicle and air support patrols at identified hotspot areas including all ports of entry, local, provincial and national roads, public spaces such as malls, parks and beaches to ensure incidents of crime are minimised.
To date, more than 61 051 patrols were conducted and this will continue and be intensified as people start migrating back to their work places and back to school for learners.
More than 3330 roadblocks and Vehicle Check Points (VCP) working jointly with local, provincial and national traffic police and the Department of Health (DOH) were conducted. The focus remains on tracing wanted suspects, detecting illegal and unwanted firearms as well as drugs and illicit goods, drunken driving suspects, stolen and hijacked vehicles.
Roadblocks, stop and searches as well as vehicle check points on major routes will remain in place. It is thus encouraging to note that from the peak of the holiday season on the 17th of December to 07 January 2024, police have strengthened their crime combatting efforts resulting in 49 534 arrests for various crimes. During the same period, 267 illegal and unwanted firearms were confiscated and 197 stolen and hijacked vehicles were recovered. It also worth noting that a total of those arrested since the launch of OPERATION SHANELA in May 2023 has risen to 314 728.
Below is a highlight of the arrests made between the week leading to Christmas and the peak of the New Year celebrations:
*Soshanguve Jukulyn shooting*: Four men were arrested for the killing of four people in Soshanguve on New Year’s Day. An AK47 with more than 100 rounds of ammunition was recovered at a house in the area.
*Gugulethu New Year’s Day shooting*: Police arrested two men aged 26 and 36 in connection with the killing of three men on New Year’s Day in Gugulethu, Cape Town. The pair appeared at the Athlone Magistrates Court on a charge of murder.
*Illicit mining operations with SANDF*: Joint operations between members of SAPS and SANDF continues to yield post Ive results and has resulted in the arrest of 290 illegal miners during this period. Joint Operations are currently in hotspot areas in six provinces; Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, Northern Cape and Free State.
Murder and attempted murder 1390
Rape 1252
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs 1682
Undocumented nationals 3317
Dealing in drugs 575
Illegal dealing in liquor 1232
Assault GBH 8001
Assault common 2812
Possession of drugs 3973
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition 546
The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola says police remain on high alert to prevent, combat and apprehend criminals in all forms and shape.
“It’s an all hands on deck approach, we are leaving nothing to chance. We thank our communities for working closely with us during this festive period to prevent crime and trace wanted criminals by sharing tip-offs. Our focus remains on serious and violent crime. Our police officers remain on the ground to ensure that we heighten visibility as it is anticipated that there will be a lot of movement on our roads. We are entering the back to school period, so we will also be ensuring that through our school safety programme, we work jointly with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to ensure minimum incidents. We will also monitor the release of the matric exams that will take place the same week as the opening of schools”, said General Fannie Masemola.
Communities are further encouraged to continue to report any suspicious activities to their nearest police station and the crime stop number on 08600 10111.
