SAPS SHANELA II arrests 20,211 suspects nationwide

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More than 20,000 suspects have been arrested across South Africa during the latest round of high-density SHANELA II operations, with police also targeting alleged sexual offenders, illegal liquor trading and other offences.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) said 20,211 suspects were arrested during the past week as police worked alongside other law enforcement agencies and government departments in operations conducted across the country.

The figures were shared by SAPS on its Facebook page, with the police service highlighting that 275 alleged sexual offenders were among those taken into custody.

This included 90 people wanted for rape, who were traced and arrested in different parts of the country.

SAPS said the arrests form part of its ongoing efforts to address gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) and pursue people accused of threatening the safety of women, children and other vulnerable members of society.

Police target illegal liquor trade

The latest operation was not limited to arrests.

Police and their partners also conducted compliance inspections aimed at identifying unlawful activities and businesses operating outside the law.

Those inspections resulted in the closure of 484 unlicensed liquor outlets, SAPS said.

The operations form part of the wider SHANELA II approach, which combines high-density policing with targeted enforcement and crime-prevention activities.

153 unlicensed firearms seized

The police operation also resulted in the seizure of 153 unlicensed firearms.

SAPS included the firearm seizures among the enforcement outcomes recorded during the latest round of operations, alongside the arrests and liquor outlet closures.

The police service said the nationwide approach is aimed at strengthening efforts to prevent and combat serious and violent crime.

Nationwide operation continues

SHANELA II has become a regular feature of SAPS’s high-density policing strategy, bringing together police units and other state agencies for targeted operations in communities across the country.

The latest figures include arrests for a range of offences, with alleged sexual offenders forming one of the key groups identified by police.

SAPS said its continued focus on tracing wanted suspects and addressing unlawful activities is aimed at improving safety and security across the country.

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Source: SAPS