Gauteng: Over 1,000 suspects across the various parts of Gauteng were nabbed in Operation Shanela II operations this past weekend, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said on Monday.

According to South African Government News Agency, conducted from 17-19 April, the operation resulted in the arrest of 1,031 suspects for various crimes. The arrests were made across all five districts in the province, namely: Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, West Rand, and Sedibeng.

Police reported that 307 of the arrests were effected by visible policing, including 103 illegal immigrants. Fifty-four individuals were nabbed for dealing in or possession of drugs, while 72 others were apprehended for drunk driving. Additionally, 32 individuals were nabbed for dealing in liquor, and 724 wanted suspects were arrested for serious and violent crimes.

Operation Shanela is a multidisciplinary integrated operation through concerted efforts of various units within the SAPS, Metro Police Departments, Gauteng Traffic, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Community Safety, Community Policing Forums, and private security companies through the Eyes and Ears Initiative (E2).

Gauteng Police Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, praised the multidisciplinary teams for their efforts. “Operation Shanela demonstrates that much can be achieved when law enforcement and the community work together in the fight against crime. Criminality will not be tolerated in Gauteng, and we remain resolute in our fight against crime,” Mthombeni said.

The police thanked members of the community for their ongoing support and providing tip-offs. The public is encouraged to continue reporting criminal activities by contacting Crime Stop on 08600 10111, their nearest police station, or via the MySAPS App.

Operation Shanela remains a standing weekly operation across Gauteng, with deployments adapted based on crime pattern analysis and community concerns.