Suspects arrested in countrywide Operation Shanela crackdown

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has over the past week arrested 13 691 suspects in nationwide Operation Shanela operations. The arrests were made from Monday to Sunday, 08 September, in various operations that included roadblocks and stop and searches. According to the SAPS, 1 953 wanted suspects for crimes such as murder, rape, possession of illegal firearms and business robberies were arrested while 149 suspects were arrested for murder. A total 179 suspects were arrested for rape of which 76 of them were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal while 161 suspects were arrested for being in the illegal possession of firearms. 'Assault GBH [grievous bodily harm] continues to register a large number of arrests with 1 536 suspects arrested,' said the police in a statement on Monday. In addition, 271 drug dealers were arrested during this period while 404 people were arrested for drunk driving, 107 while 1 460 suspects were arrested for being in possession of drugs. Meanwhile, 137 firearms were confiscated duri ng operations and 5 922 rounds of ammunition were also confiscated. 'Highlights of major takedowns include six CIT [cash-in-transit] armed robbers [who] were killed in Germiston and three kidnappers [were] arrested in Ennerdale, Gauteng.' In addition, three alleged extortionists were shot and killed at the National Intervention Unit (NIU) base in Mthatha following an attack on NIU members at the police unit base. READ | SAPS to 'deal decisively' with extortionists In addition, six extortionists were shot and killed in Durban through confrontation with police. All Operation Shanela operations are led by the Provincial Commissioner of each province. Source: South African Government News Agency