KAROO NEWS - Operation Shanela is a high-density multi-disciplinary operation conducted by the police throughout the Eastern Cape Province.
The operation focuses on reducing gender-based violence and femicide, property-related crimes, contact and violent crimes, the proliferation of illegal firearms, stock theft, drug trafficking, illegal alcohol sales, compliance inspections at second-hand goods dealers and scrapyards, and tracing of wanted suspects in all hotspot areas.
“Operation Shanela’s high-density operations in various districts lately produced positive outcomes as police maintain their momentum through intelligence-led actions and high visibility in hotspot areas,” says Col Priscilla Naidu, spokesperson for the police in the Sarah Baartman District.
Arrest one:
At about 03:00 on Thursday 14 December, police searched a house in Extension 4 at Ngqeleni during target-driven operations in the OR Tambo District. A 9mm pistol, with the serial number filed off, was recovered. A 45-year-old suspect was arrested on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm. Another licensed firearm was also confiscated in Extension 5 as it is suspected that it may have been used in committing a murder.
Arrest two:
A 22-year-old suspect was arrested and a 9mm pistol was recovered in Marhambeni during operations conducted on Friday 15 December in Qumbu by the Alfred Nzo District Tactical Response Team members.
Arrest three:
On Sunday 17 December, the OR Tambo District Task Team followed up on information about a tavern owner in possession of an unlicensed firearm in Libode. On searching his premises, a .38 revolver with ammunition was found. The 33-year-old suspect was arrested and detained on a charge of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Arrest four:
In Kwaaiman in the OR Tambo District, Tactical Response Team members and Mthatha Crime Intelligence conducted a search at a house of a retired police official. Two illegal firearms as well as different calibre ammunition were confiscated. The suspect was detained for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Arrest five:
A 23-year-old suspect was arrested by the OR Tambo District Task Team on Tuesday 19 December after they followed up on a tip-off concerning a suspect in possession of a firearm in Gxulu locality in Libode. The suspect was spotted and a 9mm pistol, also with the serial number filed off, together with ammunition was found in his possession.
He was detained on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.
All the confiscated firearms will be sent to ballistics for analysis and the suspects have appeared or will be appearing in the respective Magistrate’s Courts.
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