Police in North West Province continues with Operation Shanela to ensure the arrest of suspects for various offences

“Operation Shanela” operations conducted in the Province between Monday, 18 and Sunday, 24 March 2024, resulted in the arrest of 995 suspects for crimes such as murder, attempted murder, assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm and common, dealing in drugs, illegal dealing in liquor, possession of drugs, burglary at business and residential premises, malicious damage to property and driving under the influence of alcohol. Of the 995 suspects, were arrested during the Detectives suspect raiding operations.

The operations also led to visiting and searching of 83 premises. Furthermore, 1 064 persons and 493 vehicles were searched mainly during roadblocks and vehicle checkpoints.

In one of the operations by support services personnel on Friday, 22 March 2024, two suspects were arrested after being found in possession of copper cables at Boschkop, near Tanglewood Estate in the policing area of Potchefstroom. The copper cables weigh 2, 269 kilograms with estimated value of more than R200 000.00. The pair’s vehicle was also confiscated. The suspects are expected to appear before the court today, for possession of suspected stole goods as well as tampering and / or destruction of essential infrastructure.

In Makwassie on Wednesday, 20 March 2024, 11 individuals were fined between R200 and R500.00 for contravening the Counterfeit Goods Act, 1999 (Act No. 37 of 1999) during a joint Crime Intelligence driven operation with brand managers and focusing on counterfeit goods. Counterfeit goods such as shoe polish, sanitary pads, deodorants and hair products were seized.