On Saturday, 18 January 2025, a powerful crime-fighting operation took place in the Soshanguve and Rietgat policing areas of Gauteng. Named Operation Shanela, this effort was led by Brigadier Kushie Pietersen, the acting District Commissioner of Tshwane, and involved a team of law enforcement officers from multiple agencies. The results were impressive, with 314 arrests made and the recovery of a firearm and a hijacked vehicle.
The operation hoped to:
– Arrest wanted suspects.
– Increase visible police presence through patrols.
– Ensure liquor establishments followed the law.
Tshwane detectives made significant progress, arresting 240 suspects for serious crimes. These included:
– 57 cases of gender-based violence.
– 30 cases of common assault.
– 2 cases of murder.
– 5 cases of attempted murder.
– 7 cases of armed robbery.
– 4 cases of rape.
Additionally, 25 undocumented individuals were detained, and one person was arrested for employing illegal immigrants.
Law enforcement officers stopped and searched 507 people and 206 vehicles. This led to:
– 28 arrests for drunk driving.
– 69 traffic fines issued, amounting to R28,250.
During the operation, police searched 25 known hotspots. Six people were fined for drinking in public, and six others were arrested for dealing and possessing drugs. Officers found:
- 133 ziplock bags containing drugs like crystal meth, nyaope, cat, and dagga.
- An undisclosed amount of cash.
Police also inspected 22 liquor establishments ,closing six for breaking liquor laws. A massive 670,000 milliliters of alcohol was confiscated and will be destroyed.
In one case, a suspect was arrested for possessing a hijacked Mercedes-Benz and an unlicensed firearm. The car had been reported stolen earlier in Hebron. The firearm will undergo forensic tests to check if it was used in other crimes.
Brigadier Pietersen, who led the operation, expressed her thanks to everyone involved, saying their efforts made a real difference in keeping the community safe.
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