Kimberley, August 21, 2023 - Major General Nomana Mtukushe, the Pixley Ka Seme District Commissioner, spearheaded a robust deployment of police personnel for Operation Shanela in the Douglas police station precinct. The operation, carried out with the cooperation of Siyancuma Local Municipality Mayor, Councilor Patrick McKlein, the Community Police Forum (CPF), Community in Blue Patrollers, Department of Economic Affairs, and Liquor Board Officials, focused on curbing aggravated robberies, business and residential premises robberies, and addressing issues related to stolen property in transit, drug trade, human trafficking, and apprehending wanted suspects.
From August 16 to August 20, 2023, the high-density, multi-disciplinary operation was in full swing, centering its efforts on enhancing community safety. The strategies employed included stop-and-search operations, foot and blue light vehicle patrols, compliance checks, and searches for illicit goods like drugs and smuggled commodities.
One notable success was a roadblock established at the Hopetown and Kimberley intersection. During this operation, law enforcement personnel stopped and searched 70 vehicles and 196 individuals. As a result, 14 drivers received road traffic management fines amounting to R19,050.00.
Compliance inspections targeted taverns and informal businesses, leading to the closure of two non-compliant taverns. In total, six inspections were carried out in these establishments.
Key achievements of the operation included the arrest of nine individuals on charges ranging from robbery, possession of suspected stolen property, riotous behavior, drug possession, and trafficking. These arrests took place in the Breipaal and Bongani areas.
Substantial seizures were also recorded, including drugs valued at approximately R23,900.00, dangerous weapons, and R27,418.00 in cash suspected to be proceeds from criminal activities.
Councilor Patrick McKlein, the Mayor of Siyancuma Local Municipality, expressed gratitude for the diligent efforts of the police in improving the safety of Douglas streets. He committed to sustaining the collaborative relationship between law enforcement agencies and his ward committees at sector crime forums.
Major General Nomana Mtukushe, the Pixley Ka Seme District Commissioner, extended appreciation to all stakeholders who contributed to the operation's successes. She emphasized the police's unwavering commitment to maintaining a secure policing district and thanked everyone involved.
For more details, please visit the official SAPS news release: Link to SAPS Newsroom.
