The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Free State arrested 1,422 suspects during Operation Shanela, conducted between 3 and 9 November. Of those arrested, 388 were wanted individuals who were traced and apprehended by detectives across various parts of the province.
According to Sergeant Sinah Mpakane, amongst the wanted suspects 101 were wanted for assault, 21 for rape, and others for murder, attempted murder, and various sexual offences.
Furthermore, 1 034 suspects were arrested for crimes committed during the operation including 113 undocumented foreign nationals, primarily from Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, and Nigeria, among others.
“The inter-departmental Operation Shanela, conducted jointly by various law enforcement agencies across the province, also resulted in the confiscation and recovery of drugs, firearms, tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, contraband, dangerous weapons, and vehicles. All firearms recovered during the operations will be sent for ballistic testing to determine whether they were used in the commission of other crimes.”
Fireams that were recovered during the operation will be sent for ballistic testing to determine if they are linked to other crimes.
Compiled by Gypseenia Lion
