The Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Thandiswa Kupiso, commended Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Major General Vuyisile Ncata, and the police officers of the Nelson Mandela Bay District for their unwavering dedication and commitment. Their active participation in various operations has been instrumental in enhancing the safety and security of local communities.
According to SAPS spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg, a total of six Shanela II operations were conducted during the weekend from 31 July to 3 August throughout Nelson Mandela Bay. “The operations focussed on regular stops and searches, roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, high-visibility patrols, including foot patrols, the tracing of wanted suspects, the confiscation of illegal firearms as well as visits to liquor outlets and taverns.”
Janse Van Rensburg added that a total of eight firearms were confiscated and 129 suspects were arrested for various crimes. Among those, 20 suspects were arrested for contact crimes, 72 suspects for drug-related crimes, 12 suspects for drink-driving, and eight suspects for possession of illegal firearms and ammunition during the operation.
“Motorists were stopped at vehicle checkpoints, with 12 motorists arrested for drink-driving and nearly 2,500 vehicles searched during the operations. The detectives arrested 37 suspects during a suspect-tracing operation in Gqeberha on various crimes, and special attention was given to gender-based violence related cases,” she said.
Other successes and confiscations included:
- 48 traffic-related fines were issued
- 24 J534 fines were issued (non-compliance with the Liquor Act and Second Hand Goods Act)
- 335 mandrax tablets
- 22.001 grams of mandrax powder
- 6.7 kg of dagga
- 25.501 grams of cocaine
- 95.442 grams of crystal methamphetamine
Major General Kupiso said, “Thanks to these efforts, we have observed a notable decline in reported incidents across several areas. The heightened police visibility and proactive community engagement have strengthened public trust, further enhancing the effectiveness of our crime prevention strategies under Operation Shanela II. We will sustain these high-density operations until we decisively dismantle criminal networks.”
