Gauteng enhances safety measures for festive season through Operation Shanela

The Safer Festive Season and Operation Shanela continue to make an impact in the fight against crime through making arrests and seizures of illegal and unlawful goods.

The operation is conducted simultaneously throughout the five districts in the province and is integrated by various law enforcement agencies and stakeholders which include, SAPS, Metro Police Department, Traffic Department, Department of Home Affairs, Correctional Service, Community Police Forum and private security companies through the Eyes and Ears (E2) Initiative.

This weekend was no different as the law enforcement agencies were full force on the ground to maximize visibility and conduct different crime prevention activities such as roadblocks, stop and searches, liquor compliance inspections, disruption of illegal mining activities and tracing of wanted suspects.

The anti-gang unit deployed in Riverlea area arrested two suspects and seized a firearm with ammunition following a shooting incident on 11 November. Meanwhile, the detectives arrested 792 wanted suspects for crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, assault GBH, common assault and domestic violence related offences among others.

The visible policing activities resulted in the arrest of 268 suspects for possession and dealing in drugs, possession of unlicensed firearms, contravention of the Immigration Act, drinking and driving, possession of dangerous weapons and drinking in public. Fines to the value of more than R50 000 were also issued for contravening the Liquor Act and Road Traffic Act.

A substantial amount of liquor was seized including drugs, dangerous weapons, firearms and illicit cigarettes. The operations will continue for the duration of the festive season and beyond to ensure the safety and security of the people of Gauteng Province.