Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
18 March 2025 | 13:08 CAT
2-minute read

SAPS/Facebook

The South African Police Service’s Operation Shanela has led to the arrest of over 15 000 suspects across the country in just one week. Suspects were arrested for various serious crimes, including murder, rape, assault, drug possession and dealing, illegal firearm possession and drunk driving.

Operation Shanela is a high-density law enforcement project that the Provincial Commissioner of each province leads. It includes tracking operations, roadblocks, high visibility patrols, ‘stop and search’ operations as well as tracing wanted suspects.

In an interview on Radio Islam International, police spokesperson for the SAPS Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Mukhathi attributed the success to police officers’ commitment and hard work.

“The previous week, we arrested 14 165 suspects. And this week, we arrested 15 505 suspects. It’s because as police officers, we are going out, we are hard working to ensure that we go after criminals, those who [have committed] serious crimes,” Mukhathi said.

The arrests are resultant of rigorous police investigation and detective work. The police join forces with various stakeholders including local metros, governmental institutions and community members, to gather information before making arrests. Mukhathi highlighted the integral role the community plays in law enforcement.

“Working together with the community is one of the ingredients to make sure that this operation is a success. Without the community, we were not able to arrest these suspects. Partnership between police and the community members is very, very crucial in the sense that they keep us, they give us information, so that we arrest suspects, those who have committed crime against the state and against a victim,” Mukhathi said.

While the high number of arrests is a commendable achievement, concerns remain that criminals re-enter society after a limited period of detention due to persistently low conviction rates in South Africa and the lack of successful prosecutions. Mukhathi dispelled these concerns, explaining that the SAPS present the court with strong, watertight cases to ensure suspects receive the appropriate sentences.

The SAPS has stepped up efforts to combat the ongoing rise in kidnappings in the country, which are often resultant of collaborative international organised crime efforts.

“This month, we had a transnational workshop where we were tightening the issues of dealing with transnational crimes and also including kidnapping so that we’ll be able to work with Interpol [as well as] other countries to keep this kind of crime [in check] andto ensure we brought to book those who are involved,” Mukhathi said.

The SAPS also has a designated anti-kidnapping task team to aid in combatting the scourge. Mukhathi said the rescue of Portuguese and Ethiopian businessmen last week is evidence that the SAPS prioritises the prevention of kidnapping.

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Junaid Kharsany.