Over 14 000 Suspects Arrested During Operation Shanela

Operation Shanela has proven to be highly effective in the fight against crime. The week-long operation resulted in the arrest of over 14,000 suspects across various regions of the country.

This article delves into the details of the arrests and the specifics of the operation, highlighting some of the key outcomes.

National Police Spokesperson Athlenda Mathe revealed that out of the staggering 14,000 arrests, approximately 1,200 were illegal immigrants. Notably, about 28% of these immigrants were apprehended in Gauteng.

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The operation also led to the arrest of two women in their 50s who were impersonating police officers and scamming individuals by promising them jobs in exchange for R8,000.

Moreover, the police successfully rescued a kidnapped Portuguese businessman and arrested the suspect involved.

The operation was marked by more than 250 roadblocks across the country. Among the arrested individuals were 4,783 wanted suspects for serious crimes including murder, rape, possession of illegal firearms, and business robberies.

Mathe disclosed that 159 individuals were apprehended for murder, and 271 suspects were arrested for rape, with a significant number of these arrests (121) occurring in KwaZulu-Natal.

Additionally, law enforcement confiscated 1,466 rounds of ammunition and recovered 70 hijacked and stolen vehicles during Operation Shanela.

#sapsHQ Through heightened #PoliceVisibility, working closely with key stakeholders in the fight against crime, #SAPS members continue to stamp the authority of the State! Just this week alone, the following arrests were made. #OperationShanela #PartnershipPolicing ME pic.twitter.com/VUUQ93xw0P

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 12, 2024