Question NW1766 to the Minister of Police
08 January 2025 - NW1766
Gana, Mr M to ask the Minister of Police
(1) What (a) are the reasons that 900 000 suspects were arrested in Operation Shanela and (b) is the breakdown of the offences that each specified suspect was arrested for;
Reply:
(1)(a) The suspects arrested through Operation Shanela, which involves weekly high-density operations in prioritised station precincts, are arrested for various crimes that were committed and include both suspects (wanted persons) and accused persons. By implication, the number of persons that are arrested through Operation Shanela increases on a weekly basis and, as at 29 December 2024, a total of 1 075 107 suspects had been arrested by the South African Police Service (SAPS). This total comprises of 845 317 persons who were arrested as suspects in respect of specific crimes and a total of 227 790 suspects who had been circulated as wanted suspects, by the SAPS’ Detective Service capability, and who had been traced and subsequently arrested.
(1)(b) The breakdown in terms of the crimes for which the above-mentioned 1 1075 107 suspects were arrested is indicated in the table below:
Crimes in respect of which arrests were made |
Total number of arrests |
|
---|---|---|
Contravening the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No 60 of 2000) |
6 631 |
|
Illegal possession of firearms |
8 445 |
|
Illegal possession of ammunition |
7 503 |
|
Illegal possession of explosives |
289 |
|
Possession of a dangerous weapon |
24 706 |
|
Dealing in drugs |
27 173 |
|
Failure to keep prescribed records (2nd Hand Dealers) |
1 714 |
|
Possession of illegal cigarettes |
3 604 |
|
Illegal dealing in liquor |
36 751 |
|
Second Hand Goods Act |
3 059 |
|
Possession of counterfeit goods |
6 920 |
|
Possession of gold bearing material |
1 361 |
|
Possession of precious metals |
905 |
|
Possession of drugs |
98 323 |
|
Attempted business robbery |
224 |
|
Attempted house robbery |
136 |
|
Car-hijacking |
1 714 |
|
Robbery aggravating (armed robbery)- not listed elsewhere |
6 788 |
|
Robbery, business |
3 227 |
|
Robbery, residence |
4 019 |
|
Murder |
11 237 |
|
Attempted Murder |
8 762 |
|
Rape |
16 438 |
|
Attempted Rape |
907 |
|
Assault GBH |
119 991 |
|
Assault Common |
72 878 |
|
Burglary (Business premises) |
6 566 |
|
Burglary (Residential) |
18 989 |
|
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle |
1 421 |
|
Theft off or from motor vehicle |
4 078 |
|
Malicious Damage to Property |
25 450 |
|
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs |
34 044 |
|
Illegal migrants |
89 442 |
|
Wild Life Act |
968 |
|
Illicit mining |
7 175 |
|
Wanted suspects (see footnote) |
25 598 |
|
Human Trafficking |
393 |
|
Other crimes Total |
157 488 |
|
Total |
845 317 |
|
Grand Total, including wanted suspects arrested by the SAPS’ Detective Service |
1 075 107 |
(2) It should be noted that with regard to arrests that are made during the course of the execution of Operation Shanela, the SAPS applies case docket management only in respect of the 17 community-reported crimes, due to the large number of arrests that are effected. Arrests during Operation Shanela, therefore, include the 17 community-reported crimes and other crimes, including, for example less serious crimes that are related to by-law contraventions. The totals that are provided for the various subdivisions of the response to paragraph (2), will, therefore, not be equal to the total number of arrests that are reflected in the response to paragraph (1), i.e. 1 075 107.
(2)(a) As at 2024-12-29, total of 21 104 suspects have been released due to insufficient evidence.
(2)(b) A total of 386 198 cases are currently before the courts.
(2)(c)(i) A total of 210 693 suspects have previous convictions.
(2)(c)(ii) A total of 131 590 suspects were released on bail.