Latest news with #OperationShanela
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
21 arrested for serious crimes in massive West Rand police sweep
Over 500 people and 136 vehicles were recently searched, resulting in 21 arrests during a massive police operation across the West Rand. The operations focused on high-crime areas including Westonaria, Randfontein, Magaliesburg, Khutsong and Carletonville. Offences included contravention of the Immigration Act, drunk driving, possession of suspected drugs, murder and illegal possession of explosives. According to Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson Sello Maremane, nearly 400 suspects were arrested during high-density operations and Operation Shanela held from July 18–20 by Gauteng Traffic Police, Gauteng Traffic Wardens, the police and metro police departments, among others. In the City of Johannesburg, 56 suspects were arrested for charges of possession of drugs, driving under the influence of alcohol, contravention of the immigration act, common robbery and other offences. 'It is notable that more than 163 suspects have been arrested across the province for driving under the influence of alcohol. This is a serious crime and will not be tolerated, as it compromises the safety of other road users. Law enforcement agencies will continue to work together in removing criminal elements and lawlessness in the province.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
10-07-2025
- The Citizen
Thousands of illegal guns destroyed in Gauteng police operation
The police have taken a decisive step in their ongoing battle against illegal firearms, destroying 12 499 confiscated weapons at a high-security event held on July 9. General Fannie Masemola, the national police commissioner, described the destruction as a 'critical milestone' in the national effort to rid communities of illegal firearms fuelling violent crime. 'These weapons, once used to commit violent acts and sow fear, are now permanently out of circulation,' said Masemola during his address at the destruction site. According to a police statement, Gauteng led the national recovery figures, contributing 5 099 of the destroyed firearms, the highest of any province. ALSO READ: Zama-zamas caught in Doornkop and firearms seized The Western Cape followed with 2 333, KZN with 1 574, and the Eastern Cape with 1 432. The Free State contributed 460, Mpumalanga and Limpopo each added 343 and 519 respectively, North West contributed 417, and the Northern Cape 322. This latest destruction brings the total number of firearms permanently removed from public circulation to 292 092 since April 2019. Masemola highlighted the role of Operation Shanela, an intensified national policing strategy aimed at tackling gun violence and dismantling organised crime syndicates. ALSO READ: Joburg police recover firearms and apprehend hundreds Under this operation, police are currently seizing more than 100 illegal firearms weekly. In the last three weeks alone, 106, 115, and 102 firearms were recovered, respectively. 'These numbers reflect the dedication of our members across provinces, especially in Gauteng, to remove illegal weapons and protect our communities,' said Masemola. Police continue to urge the public to report suspicious firearm activity and to cooperate with ongoing firearm amnesty and recovery operations. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
10-07-2025
- The Citizen
Over 12 000 illegal firearms destroyed in major Gauteng police operation
The police have taken a decisive step in their ongoing battle against illegal firearms, destroying 12 499 confiscated weapons at a high-security event held on July 9. General Fannie Masemola, the national police commissioner, described the destruction as a 'critical milestone' in the national effort to rid communities of illegal firearms fuelling violent crime. 'These weapons, once used to commit violent acts and sow fear, are now permanently out of circulation,' said Masemola during his address at the destruction site. According to a police statement, Gauteng led the national recovery figures, contributing 5 099 of the destroyed firearms, the highest of any province. The Western Cape followed with 2 333, KZN with 1 574, and the Eastern Cape with 1 432. The Free State contributed 460, Mpumalanga and Limpopo each added 343 and 519 respectively, North West contributed 417, and the Northern Cape 322. This latest destruction brings the total number of firearms permanently removed from public circulation to 292 092 since April 2019. Masemola highlighted the role of Operation Shanela, an intensified national policing strategy aimed at tackling gun violence and dismantling organised crime syndicates. Under this operation, police are currently seizing more than 100 illegal firearms weekly. In the last three weeks alone, 106, 115, and 102 firearms were recovered, respectively. 'These numbers reflect the dedication of our members across provinces, especially in Gauteng, to remove illegal weapons and protect our communities,' said Masemola. Police continue to urge the public to report suspicious firearm activity and to cooperate with ongoing firearm amnesty and recovery operations. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
TimesLIVE
09-07-2025
- TimesLIVE
Weapons that fuelled fear reduced to scrap: 12,499 guns destroyed by police
National police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola on Wednesday officiated at an event where 12,499 firearms confiscated from criminals were destroyed. This brings to 291,993 the total number of firearms and parts destroyed by police over the past five years, he said. "Each one represents a potential life saved, a family spared from grief and a community fortified against chaos. The destruction of weapons that once fuelled terror, now reduced to scrap, is not symbolic; it is a strategic blow against the violence that threatens our nation's soul." At the Vanderbijlpark event, Gauteng brought most firearms with 5,099, followed by the Western Cape with 2,333, KwaZulu-Natal with 1,574 and 1,432 from the Eastern Cape. Firearms remain the preferred weapon in serious and violent crime, specifically murder and attempted murder, Masemola said. Through Operation Shanela, police seize about 100 firearms per week. In the past seven days, 106 firearms were seized, in the previous week 115, and the week before that 102 firearms were seized.
IOL News
09-07-2025
- IOL News
SAPS Commissioner Masemola announces crucial preservation of firearms linked to political killings
On Wednesday, 12,499 firearms are slated for destruction at Cape Gate Steel in Vanderbijlpark during the Firearm Destruction event. South African Police Service National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola holds one of the firearms (black and brown) to be destroyed. Image: SAPS The South African Police Service (SAPS) Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has indicated that firearms used in political killings and high-profile crimes will not be destroyed during the destruction of firearms. Masemola was speaking at a media briefing held at the Firearm Destruction at Cape Gate Steel in Vanderbijlpark on Wednesday. Masemola stated that firearms used in political killings and other high-profile cases will not be destroyed, as those cases are still pending. 'Those firearms are still going to be preserved as evidence.' He urged the public not to assume that these firearms would be destroyed. Masemola said the cases are still pending, and the firearms have been linked to more cases, including the killing of artists in South Africa. 'So they are not about to be destroyed. They will be kept until those cases are finalised.' He stated that 12,499 firearms would be destroyed. The destruction comes after 16,049 firearms were destroyed in February. The commissioner said that over the past five years, police have destroyed 291,993 firearms and parts, including those from Wednesday. A total of 12,499 firearms are expected to be destroyed at the Firearm Destruction at Cape Gate Steel in Vanderbijlpark on Wednesday. Image: SAPS 'With the firearms that we are destroying today, Gauteng brought in the majority of firearms with 5,099, followed by the Western Cape with 2,333, KZN with 1,574, 1,432 firearms were from the Eastern Cape, and 460 from the Free State. Limpopo brought in 343 and Mpumalanga contributed 519 each of these firearms, while North West contributed 417 and Northern Cape 322,' Masemola said. He said that from April 2019 to date, a total of 292,092 firearms have been destroyed through their firearm destruction operations. Masemola explained that firearms are a popular weapon choice in serious and violent crimes, such as murder and attempted murder. Thus, it is crucial for the police to eliminate firearms from South Africa's streets, particularly in high-crime provinces such as Gauteng, the Western Cape, KZN, and the Eastern Cape. According to him, Operation Shanela has resulted in the seizure of no less than 100 firearms weekly. 'In the last seven days, 106 firearms were seized, in the previous week, 115 firearms were seized, and the week before that, 102 firearms were seized,' Masemola said. He added: 'We remain resolute and focused on our targeted operations to completely remove these firearms from the hands of communities, especially young people.'
