In a massive multidisciplinary takedown, SAPS and partner agencies arrested 328 suspects for crimes ranging from murder to illegal gambling, while also shutting down non-compliant liquor outlets.
PRETORIA – In a decisive show of force, the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Tshwane arrested a staggering 328 suspects during a high-density Operation Shanela conducted in the Atteridgeville and Laudium policing precincts on Thursday.
The operation, led by Tshwane District Commissioner Major-General Samuel Thine, was a coordinated effort involving detectives, visible policing units, metro police, traffic officials, and the Department of Home Affairs.
Detectives Lead the Charge with Serious Arrests
The operation was intelligence-driven, with detectives apprehending 282 suspects wanted in connection with serious crimes. The arrests included:
- Three (3) for murder
- Five (5) for attempted murder
- Seven (7) for armed robbery
- Three (3) for rape
This targeted approach demonstrates a focus on addressing violent crime that directly threatens community safety.
Multidisciplinary Sweep Yields Wide-Ranging Results
Beyond the detective-led arrests, the operation yielded significant results across multiple fronts:
- Illegal Immigration: 34 undocumented foreign nationals were detained and handed over to immigration authorities.
- Liquor Compliance: 14 liquor outlets were inspected, resulting in five being shut down and over 1,235 litres of liquor confiscated.
- Illegal Gambling: Three people were arrested, and five gambling machines were seized.
- Stolen Vehicle Recovery: A Mercedes-Benz, reported stolen in Pretoria West in October, was recovered, leading to one arrest.
- Traffic Fines: Traffic officials issued 210 fines totalling R71,250 and impounded 11 vehicles.
The operation also included roadblocks where 498 people and 264 vehicles were searched, along with patrols at 47 identified crime hotspots.
Major-General Thine commended all participating departments and community policing forums for their collaboration, reaffirming the SAPS’s commitment to a zero-tolerance approach towards crime in the capital.
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