Operation Shanela 2: Gauteng police apprehend 770 fugitives in weekend crackdown
The large-scale operation, conducted from Friday to Sunday across all five districts in the province, was led by Major General Mbuso Khumalo, Gauteng’s deputy provincial commissioner for crime detection, who is also acting as deputy provincial commissioner for policing
Image: SAPS
More than 700 wanted suspects have been arrested across Gauteng during a weekend police crackdown under Operation Shanela 2, which targeted fugitives involved in serious and violent crimes.
The large-scale operation, conducted from Friday to Sunday across all five districts in the province, was led by Major General Mbuso Khumalo, Gauteng’s deputy provincial commissioner for crime detection, who is also acting as deputy provincial commissioner for policing.
According to police, 770 suspects who had been on the run were apprehended for offences including murder, attempted murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, robbery, rape, and sexual assault.
The large-scale operation, conducted from Friday to Sunday across all five districts in the province, was led by Major General Mbuso Khumalo, Gauteng’s deputy provincial commissioner for crime detection, who is also acting as deputy provincial commissioner for policing
Image: SAPS
Tshwane recorded the highest number of arrests with 255 suspects, followed by Johannesburg with 196, Ekurhuleni with 137, and Sedibeng and West Rand with 186 combined.
In addition to the wanted suspects, police arrested another 265 people during roadblocks, stop-and-search operations, and compliance checks at liquor outlets.
The operation forms part of the SAPS’s ongoing effort to clamp down on violent crime and maintain visibility across Gauteng communities.
All arrested suspects are expected to appear before various magistrates’ courts in the province in due course.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said the arrests demonstrate the effectiveness of coordinated policing efforts under Operation Shanela.
Last month, IOL reported that a total of 1,567 suspects were arrested across Gauteng during Operation Shanela, with police targeting serious and violent crimes while stepping up visibility across all districts.
The operation, which ran from Friday until Sunday, saw multidisciplinary law enforcement teams mounting roadblocks, conducting stop-and-searches, inspecting liquor outlets, and patrolling known hotspots.
Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed the outcome of the operation at the time.
“Among the total arrests, 1,378 were wanted suspects linked to serious and violent crimes such as murder, attempted murder, assault with intent to cause bodily harm, rape, robberies, and hijackings,” said Nevhuhulwi.
She said the crackdown also tackled gender-based violence.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL News