Port Elizabeth—The South African Police Service (SAPS) successfully arrested 537 individuals during Operation Shanela in the Eastern Cape last week, a period coinciding with South Africa's seventh National and Provincial Elections.

According to South African Government News Agency, the operation took place from May 27 to June 2, 2024, a week marked by intense national and provincial electoral activities. The police emphasized that the demands of election security did not hinder their ongoing efforts to combat crime in the region. Among the offenses, suspects were arrested for a range of crimes including house robbery and dealing in illicit drugs. Additionally, 18 motorists were apprehended for drunk driving.

The police operation also targeted unlicensed liquor sales, resulting in 141 fines and the seizure of 11,592 liters of liquor. In collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Environment, SAPS officers disrupted abalone poaching activities, confiscating 2,913 units of the valuable marine mollusk. Furthermore, an assortment of illicit drugs valued at over R5,000 was seized during the week-long operation.

"A total of 21 suspects were nabbed for contravening the Firearms Control Act. These successes emanate solely from Operation Shanela," the SAPS statement noted. Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene praised the dedication and effectiveness of the police force during this critical period. "Even though members were deployed on election duties across the province, our men and women in blue ensured that day-to-day policing continued and criminals were not given the space to carry out their devious deeds," Mene stated.