JOUBERTINA – Operation Shanela, a series of tactical and intelligence-driven police operations, has led to multiple arrests and significant seizures in the Sarah Baartman District over the past weekend.
According to South African Police Service, Sarah Baartman District Commissioner, the operations kicked off when Joubertina Police Station officers, acting on a tip from the public, arrested a 15-year-old boy found hiding in the ceiling of a shop in Krakeel during a burglary in progress.
In a coordinated effort, the Grahamstown Crime Intelligence team, K9 unit, Operational Crime Centre (OCC), and Nelson Mandela Bay District Tactical Response Team (TRT) executed search warrants in Addo. This operation resulted in the arrest of three suspects for serious crimes, the recovery of an unlicensed firearm, and the confiscation of drugs worth over R13,000. Additionally, a 25-year-old man was arrested for drug possession in a separate incident.
Further actions included a successful raid by Jansenville Police, which led to the arrest of a 22-year-old man for drug dealing and possession of suspected stolen property. Authorities recovered drugs valued at over R22,000, a television set, six cellphones, and a touch screen tablet.
All suspects apprehended during these operations are scheduled to appear before various Magistrate Courts soon. Major General Xawuka praised the effectiveness and impact of Operation Shanela, emphasizing the goal of turning “every spark of good work into a consuming flame of excellence.”