Operation Shanela has netted more than 150 000 suspects wanted for violent crimes

Thapelo Molefe

The first official Cabinet meeting of the 7th administration took place this week and Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the Cabinet is satisfied with the crackdown of criminal activities in South Africa and said law enforcement agencies must take the credit for that.

Ntshavheni said the police’s Operation Shanela has ensured the arrest of 756 237 suspects for various crimes, and 161 752 of these were wanted suspects for priority crimes such as murder, cash in transit heists, armed robberies, and rape, among other violent crimes.

She said this while briefing the media on Wednesday on the Cabinet meeting’s outcomes. The Cabinet expressed satisfaction with the crackdown on illegal activities and has renewed its request for the people to collaborate with law enforcement to make the country safer, she said.

“Cabinet welcomes the continued successes of law enforcement agencies in the arrest of members of organised