By Sikelelwa Mfundisi
Picture of Minister Bheki Cele by DFA
On the October 3rd there was a briefing on crime in the Western Cape and an update on Shanela police operations for Police Minister Bheki Cele’s news conference in Cape Town.
A recent address by SAPS leaders emphasized their commitment to reducing crime through incisive police action and active community engagement. Five months earlier, Operation Shanela, a crime-fighting programme, had been launched. This operation marks the beginning of a new era of stepped-up policing initiatives in South Africa.
“Each week boots on the ground are manning regular roadblocks, conducting stop and searches and are also amongst other things, tracing wanted suspects especially those who have committed murder, rape, and Gender-Based-Violence and Femicide related crimes”, according to mister Bheki Cele’s statement.
Lt General Patekile is praised for his management group that have successfully reduced crime. Throughout the country, their efforts have produced encouraging results and served as a model for law enforcement agencies.
He then added, “According to our weekly countrywide crime scan, police are improving their responses to crime and are pushing back on criminality. The Western Cape is no exception, over 155 thousand suspects have been arrested for contact and serious crimes such as murder, rape, robberies and hijacking throughout the country.”
It is really alarming that there have been so many savage killings and shootings recently in places like Gugulethu, Manenberg, and Ravensmead, despite these successes. It is the law enforcement community’s steadfast resolve to stop these violent crimes.
“As a preventative measure, a decision has been made to saturate the area with different disciplines of SAPS combat units operating within the Gugulethu area. These operations will be extended to the Cape Flats, guided by crime pattern analysis; to enable communities to live a peaceful life.”
“We also believe a change in the management of the Gugulethu police station and general policing precinct, will go a long way in stabilising the area.”
Reference List
Cele, B. (2023). Services | SAPS (South African Police Service). [online] www.saps.gov.za. Available at: https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=48727 [4 Oct. 2023].