Operation Shanela still reaps rewards

Endeavours by members attached to Operation Shanela who are strategically deployed in crime hotspots in the Cape Metropole, still produce a positive outcome following the arrests of suspects found in possession of drugs and firearms in Delft, Gugulethu and Makaza . These actions aim to quell the prevalence of serious crime in these areas during weekends.

On Thursday, 22 February 2024 at about 20:30, members acted on information received about illegal activities which took place at an address in Eustonia Street Delft. The members operationalised the information and pounced on the premises where they ensued with a search upon arrival. They discovered dagga with an estimated value of R20 000 and an undisclosed amount cash believed to be the proceeds of the illegal drug trade.

Subsequent to the discovery, the members arrested a 37-year-old Tanzanian female who faces a charge of dealing in dagga

In an unrelated incident, members were busy patrolling in Tom Street Gugulethu when they stopped a suspicious vehicle. During the search that ensued, they found eighteen 9mm rounds of ammunition. Upon further investigation they established that the vehicle was reported as highjacked in 2023. The members arrested a.29 year old man for the illegal possession of ammunition as well as for the possession of a hijacked vehicle.

The suspects will appear in Athlone and Bellville Magistrates’ courts respectively, once charged.

In addition to above, members attached to Harare Crime Prevention unit executed stop and search duties in Ekwepile Street in Makaza on Friday, 23 February 2024 at about midnight when they pulled over a Ford Bantam LDV. The members searched the vehicle and discovered a 9mm pistol and ammunition hidden under the driver seat which they confiscated. They arrested a 45 year old man as he was unable to provide a valid license to be in possession of the firearm. He faces a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. He is scheduled to appear in the Kayelitsha Magistrates’ court on Monday, 26 February 2024.