R500/N12 Police Operation Leads to 68 More Arrests

Operation Shanela yielded another 68 arrests in West Rand District. Law enforcement efforts in the West Rand District bore fruit during a recent four-phase operation, marked by roadblocks and vehicle checkpoints (VCP) on the N12 and R500 highways over the past weekend. Led by West Rand District Police Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana, the operation, conducted from 19:00 on August 12 to 02:00 on August 13, stood as a tribute to Women’s Month, with female officers at the helm, symbolising honour to women’s contributions to law enforcement.

Captain Solomon Sibiya of the police explained that the operation was a collaborative effort involving various law enforcement agencies and social partners, including the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, Home Affairs, traffic police, Crime Prevention Wardens, community safety patrollers, local CPF, and security companies.

Efforts to prevent crime occurred in areas including Mphahla village, Kokosi township Ext 5,6,9 and farms, Fochville CBD, and R54 road. The operation also targeted Skopas, Mohaleshoek informal settlement, Ikusasa Lethu, F-section informal settlement Ext 3, and Slamdam Elandsridge in Wedela.

High-crime routes were the primary focus of the VCP, encompassing spots prone to hijackings, kidnappings, stock thefts, smuggling illicit goods, and armed robberies. These routes included the intersection of JB Marx and Elandsrand roads and the R500 and R54 roads.

Also read: Major Joburg Police Raid Nets Illicit Goods Worth Over R2M

The outcome of the operation was the apprehension of 68 individuals, with 30 arrests attributed to detectives and the remainder to Visible Policing (Vispol) personnel. Vispol officers apprehended individuals for various offences, including 20 for drunken driving, two for drug-related incidents, one for possessing precious metals, one for unauthorised liquor dealing, and 14 for undocumented individuals. Detectives, on the other hand, apprehended 30 known or wanted suspects on charges such as fraud, theft, assault GBH, common assault, common robbery, housebreaking and theft, arson, robbery with a weapon other than a firearm, malicious damage to property, possession of drugs, and contravening protection orders.

The officers issued numerous fines totalling R6,000 and shut down an illegal shebeen. Seizures included a 9mm Gordan pistol, 17 rounds of ammunition, smoking pipes, mandrax tablets, a sword, 49 490ml of liquor, and knobkerries.

Kagiso Police Station commander Brigadier Nyelisani Mabatha expressed her gratitude for the operational achievements and encouraged sustained efforts across different stations. All arrested suspects will soon face their respective charges in the Fochville Magistrate’s Court.

Source: Another 68 arrests during police operation on the R500/ N12

Also read:

Operation Shanela: Striving to Eradicate Crime in Kempton Park

Picture: Twitter / SAPoliceService

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