Central SA
Operation Shanela: 2 000 suspects arrested in Free State─── ZENANDE MPAME 14:53 Mon, 07 Aug 2023
Operation Shanela has continued to produce fruitful results, and during the past 14 days, 2 152 people have been arrested for various crimes.
Members of the Trompsburg Highway Patrol caught and arrested a suspect who had abalone valued at around R2 million. The Odendaalsrus neighbourhood helped locate and confiscate crystal meth worth an estimated R1.2 million. In collaboration with local farmers, Smithfield police arrested five individuals and found ten stolen sheep.
Drugs were confiscated in Operation Shanela over the past two weeks in the Free State. Photo: SAPS
“SAPS members and the multi-disciplinary approach to crime in the Free State continue to squeeze the spaces of crime throughout the province by working hand in hand with the community,” said Free State police spokesperson Mahlomola Kareli.
In working together with other government departments, 268 illegal immigrants were arrested after immigration officials found that they did not have the proper documents. 101 people have been arrested through routine patrols and stop-and-search operations for having dangerous weapons.
New police recruits marching past FS Premier Mxolisi Dukwana. Photo: SAPS
Free State Provincial Commissioner Baile Motswenyane said the province has 800 new constables and this increases manpower, thus pressure will be put on the drug trade and all criminal elements.
