During operation Shanela, which was carried out throughout the Ekurhuleni Policing Precincts from Friday, 9 May to Sunday, 11 May 2025, law enforcement and other stakeholders arrested 281 suspects for a variety of offenses. Additionally, eight unlicensed liquor outlets were shut down and illegal firearms were taken off the streets in the District.
During their suspect raids, the detectives apprehended 142 people, including 60 for contact crimes, 10 for contact-related crimes, 23 for other serious crimes, 39 for gender-based violence, and 10 for cases involving property. On Saturday morning, 10 May 2025, the SAPS Benoni Crime Prevention team and members of the Benoni Flying Squad detained four suspects in Benoni who were allegedly involved in contact and trio crimes in the region.
The suspects allegedly threatened victims at gunpoint. The police swiftly responded to the scene and on arrival the suspects tried to flee, but were cornered and all four were arrested. A 9mm pistol and 6 live ammunition together with a replica firearm with 8 ammunition were found in possession of the suspects. They were then arrested and taken to SAPS Benoni for detention.
Major General Anna Sithole, the District Commissioner for Ekurhuleni, expressed pride in the police officers who made the arrests quickly and in the community members who consistently give the police accurate information about crimes to make sure that offenders are held accountable in the district.
