Cele affirms SAPS’ unyielding stance against crime

Minister General Bheki Cele affirmed the unwavering commitment of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in combatting crime and criminality across the nation.

Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria, Cele emphasised the resolute stance of SAPS in tackling the pressing issue of crime within the country.

MINISTER CELE HAILS COMMUNITY ROLE IN OPERATION SHANELA’S SUCCESS

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 SAPS’s proactive approach in combating crime and ensuring the safety of citizens.

Despite the good the SAPS has done, it has received criticism across different fronts.

On April, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate initiated investigation into a recent shootout 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.

SURGE IN SAPS SHOOTOUTS WITH SUSPECTED CRIMINALS SPARKS CONCERNS IN 2024

Since the start of the year, several incidents involving shootouts between the police and suspected criminals have been reported.

Here are some reported accidents since the year started:

• A police captain lost his life during a shootout at a car wash in Kanyamazane on Saturday, 13 January.
• Four suspects linked to the murders of a woman and her daughter in Inanda were fatally wounded in a shootout with police on 17 February.
• A police sergeant sustained a bullet wound in a crossfire with three suspects in Dalasile on Tuesday, 20 February.
• Two suspected cash-in-transit robbers were shot and killed during a shootout with police in Umlazi on Wednesday, 22 February.
• Three suspected hitmen were shot and fatally wounded in a gunfight with police in Eshowe on Thursday afternoon, 21 March.
• Four suspects wanted for various violent crimes, including murder, were killed in a shootout with police in Cato Manor on Thursday, 28 March.

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 shootout, 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.