Operation Shanela cracks down on crime  

“I think all this police presence is great, especially in an area like this.”

This was a comment made by one of the dozens of motorists pulled over during a roadblock along the R23 (Heidelberg Road) in Brakpan last week.

While some seemed irritated by traffic moving at a snail’s pace, and others were visibly annoyed when they were selected to stop and have their vehicle searched, others appreciated the massive show of force and effort to tackle crime.

The R23, which has long been a stomping ground for hijackers, was saturated with men and women in blue and other role players on the morning of February 13 as Operation Shanela rolled into town.

Operation Shanela activities include tracking operations, roadblocks, high visibility patrols, stop-and-searches as well as tracing of wanted suspects.

The operation was led by Gauteng provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, who was joined by senior SAPS management and other law enforcement agencies.

Police from surrounding stations also assisted, along with specialist units such as the drone unit. A drone was deployed to give police a bird’s-eye view of the roadblock and assist in crime-fighting.

Mthombeni was an active participant in the operation, and didn’t hesitate to search vehicles, as did Brakpan SAPS station commander Brigadier Johanna Ngoma.

Gauteng’s top cop told the Brakpan Herald the operation was aimed at assisting Brakpan police with the reduction of crime.

“When we took presentation from the station commander, it clearly reflects the station is having some challenges in terms of contact crimes, which is murder, attempted murder, assault GBH, and subcategory robbery, which is car and truck hijackings,” said Mthombeni.

“We are here to make sure that we support the station commander in terms of the operational activities.”

Mthombeni was pleased to share the roadblock had already yielded successes by mid-morning.

“We managed to arrest no less than 34 illegal immigrants, and we managed to net drugs, hardcore drugs,” he said.

A vehicle was also impounded after its engine number was found to have been been tampered with.

Mthombeni added that there were other operational teams deployed to different areas in Brakpan, and that a water pump used in illegal mining activities had been seized.

He also noted the importance of the involvement of stakeholders such as Gauteng Traffic Police, Department of Home Affairs and others, and stressed all the different role players were involved to ensure the community is safe and feels safe.

Operation Shanela also saw law enforcement descend on illegal mining hotspots, as well as several informal settlements, including Plastic City.

Seventy-four arrests were made on the day. Four suspects were arrested for possession of drugs, six for selling liquor without a licence, and 64 illegal immigrants were nabbed.

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