Pic: Lirandzu Themba
Police Minister Bheki Cele has officially launched the multi-disciplinary high-density ‘Operation Shanela’ in the Eastern Cape by addressing hundreds of police officials at the Gelvandale Stadium in Gqeberha on Friday.
Earlier on Friday, Cele also visited Helenvale – one of the crime hotspots in the metro.
Speaking to the media during the walkabout, the Minister said community involvement is key in driving down the high levels of crime.
“What is very clear in these areas is that police or law enforcement alone can’t win the war,” he said.
“The question of drugs, the question of kids not attending school – that feeds into gangsterism and criminality.
“It’s something that needs far more than just law enforcement to make life better for people.”
He made an appeal to the police officers to respond decisively to crime and to be hard on criminals.
“I’m calling on the members of the South African Police Service, management and all officers, to respond in the shortest possible time – we must know who are these [criminals] and if needs be, bring them walking or bring them lying on their backs.”
The police say since 'Operation Shanela's inception in May 2023, more than 78 000 suspects have been arrested for a variety of crimes ranging from murder to rape.
