More than 325 suspects nabbed in Operation Shanela

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Over 325 suspects were arrested during Operation Shanela in Tshwane on Thursday, 22 May 2025.

A multidisciplinary team involving various stakeholders held the operation on the Sinoville and Kameeldrift policing precincts.

328 SUSPECTS NABBED IN OPERATION SHANELA

The operation, led by the District Commissioner of Tshwane, Major-General Samuel Thine, apprehended a total of 328 suspects for various criminal offences.

Tshwane District detectives arrested 280 suspects, including 85 suspects linked to gender-based violence-related cases, four for murder, two for attempted murder, four for armed robbery, and three for rape.

A roadblock in Kameeldrift led to the detention of 47 undocumented foreign nationals.

During the operation, police patrolled at 18 identified crime hotspots where they arrested one suspect.

“One suspect was arrested for possession and dealing in dagga after being found with one shopping bag full of dagga and [an] additional 14 ziplock bags of dagga and an undisclosed amount of cash,” said the police statement.

Additionally, six second-hand goods dealers were inspected and fined a total of R19 000 for contraventions of the Second-Hand Goods Act.

MAN ARRESTED FOR ILLEGAL MINING REMANDED IN CUSTODY

A 35-year-old man was arrested for illegal mining, illegal processing of presumed precious minerals and contravention of immigration laws.

Roseman Moyo (35) appeared before the Lenyenye Regional Court on Wednesday, 21 May 2025.

Moyo will remain in custody until 18 June 2025 for bail application and further police investigations.

He was found with a shovel, pickaxe, hammer, phenduka, head lamp, and a bag containing presumed precious minerals.

He was also found mining without a permit.

Police investigations are currently taking place.

In other related news, a 33-year-old suspect was arrested for allegedly dealing in illicit gold around Sandringham.

Police spotted the suspect’s vehicle on Swindler Road and Lee Street, where they searched it.

“During the search of the vehicle, police discovered 5 grams of illicit gold and R8100 cash,” said the police statement.

The suspect also led the police to another property at Sandler Street, where they seized 600 grams of illicit gold valued at R900 000 and R300 000 cash.

The suspect will appear at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 26 May 2025.

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