The minister of the South African Police Service, Bheki Cele. Image: SA News
Minister General Bheki Cele reiterated the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) steadfast dedication to tackling crime nationwide.
The minister of the South African Police Service, Bheki Cele. Image: SA News
Minister General Bheki Cele affirmed the unwavering commitment of the South African Police Service (SAPS) to combat crime and criminality across the nation.
Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria, Cele emphasised the resolute stance of the SAPS in tackling the pressing issue of crime within the country.
Operation Shanela, initiated in May of the preceding year, aimed to address crime in densely populated regions. Cele commended the active participation of community policing forums, community patrollers, and private security entities.
Since its inception, Operation Shanela has yielded remarkable results. With over 71 000 operations conducted nationwide, the initiative has led to the arrest of a staggering 600 000 criminals, including individuals on the police’s wanted list. These figures underscore the effectiveness of the SAPS’s proactive approach to combating crime and ensuring the safety of citizens.
Despite the good the SAPS has done, it has received criticism across different fronts.
In April, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) initiated an investigation into a recent shoot-out in Mariannhill, Durban, where nine suspected criminals were killed in a confrontation with law enforcement officers. Ipid spokesperson Phaladi Shuping noted the escalating number of alleged criminal fatalities in encounters with the police.
Since the start of the year, several incidents involving shoot-outs between the police and suspected criminals have been reported.
Here are some reported accidents since the year started:
Furthermore, on Sunday, 28 April, a multidisciplinary team of law enforcement officials engaged in a high-speed chase with suspects allegedly involved in blue light robberies on the N3 freeway.
The pursuit led to a shoot-out, resulting in the deaths of three suspects, while one managed to escape. SAPS seized two unlicensed firearms, ammunition, blue lights, and the suspects’ vehicle. The team comprised various units, including SAPS National Head Office Counter Intelligence and the Gauteng Anti-Gang Unit.