Police in the OR Tambo district conducted Operational Shanela 11 recently which yielded positive results including the arrest of three male suspects aged between 26 – 41 years in Mthatha and Lusikisiki for different crimes committed on Tuesday, 24/02.
According to police spokesperson, Captain Welile Matyolo, a 26-year-old man was arrested in Lusikisiki for being in possession of an unlicensed 9mm pistol with an erased serial number and three rounds of ammunition.
“In an unrelated incident in Mthatha, a 41-year-old male suspect of Mandela Park – Santos Street, was arrested on Tuesday, 24/02 for unlawful possession of two Toyota bakkies suspected to be stolen. First Toyota Hilux Single Cab Bakkie revealed Western Cape Delft Cas Number of December 2025 (Theft) on vehicle circulation whilst the second Toyota Hilux D4D Bakkie had its chassis numbers tampered with. The 41-year-old was arrested on the spot by the Mthatha based District Task Team through an intelligence driven operation conducted,” said Matyolo.
The third suspect, a 36-year-old man was arrested by the Mthatha K9 Unit for dealing in drugs. In addition, 77 100ml bottles of Broncleer Cough Syrup were found hidden in the house at Mthatha Payne locality at about 23H55.
The three suspects are set to appear before their respective magistrate’s court this week on charges including unlawful possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition, unlawful possession of suspected to be stolen vehicles to contravention of Act 101/1965, medicine and related substances (unlawful possession of large quantity of medicine without licence).
SAPS OR Tambo District Commissioner, Major General Norman Modishana applauded all members involved in the different operations.