3.68m cases since May 2023, yet only 6% convictions

Police across South Africa have been rounding up suspects en masse, but only a fraction of these arrests have resulted in convictions.

- Jarryd Westerdale

Operation Shanela recorded more than 14,200 arrests in the past week, adding to the massive number of suspects detained in the last two years.

However, the department of police recently revealed that just less than 6% of Operation Shanela arrests have led to convictions.

Operation Shanela focuses on contact and trio crimes such as murder, rape, robbery and assault, as well as drug and alcohol-related crimes.

From 21 to 27 July, 172 suspects were arrested in connection with murder cases, 138 for attempted murder and 170 for rape.

Additionally, 1,598 were arrested for assault GBH (grievous bodily harm) and 1,376 were arrested for possession of drugs.

Drunk drivers accounted for 672 arrests, while 324 people were arrested for dealing in narcotics.