The initiative to reduce crime in communities has been proving effective, thanks to the collaborative Operation Shanela carried out by Ekurhuleni SAPS officers, EMPD, Gauteng Traffic, Wardens CPF, Home Affairs, and other law enforcement bodies within the Ekurhuleni Policing areas from Friday afternoon, 24 January 2025, until Sunday morning, 26 January 2025.
In total, detectives apprehended 164 suspects during their operation called Shanela, which took place on Saturday morning, 25 January 2025, and continued into the afternoon. Among those arrested, 89 were charged with contact crimes, 10 with contact-related offenses, 18 for property crimes, 30 for other serious offenses, and 29 for issues related to gender-based violence.
Various suspects were apprehended by the SAPS and members of law enforcement agencies during the implementation of Operation Shanela, which took place over the weekend from Friday afternoon, January 24, 2025, to Sunday morning, January 26, 2025, resulting in the closure of 14 illegal shebeens.
In the Putfontein area, on Friday, 24 January 2025, at 03:00, police were performing stop-and-search operations when they noticed a suspicious vehicle with four occupants at Mayfield Extension 8 and 9 checkpoint. The officers halted the vehicle and conducted a search. During the search, they discovered a 9mm firearm with its serial number removed. All four occupants were arrested and will face charges for possessing an illegal firearm and ammunition.
The primary operation took place in the Tembisa area on Saturday, 25 January 2025, under the leadership of District Vispol Commanders Colonel Subaramanian and Colonel Pubalakan. During this operation, a white Toyota Condor, reported stolen in SAPS Ivory Park in December 2024, was recovered. Four individuals were apprehended for drug possession, two for cannabis possession, four for selling liquor without a license, two for driving under the influence, and two for being undocumented immigrants.
Ekurhuleni District Commissioner, Major General Anna Sithole applauded the efforts and team’s spirit of the law enforcers in ensuring that crime is reduced in Ekurhuleni District.
