From Monday 25 November to Sunday 1 December 2024, the South African Police Service (SAPS) arrested a total of 13902 suspects as part of their ongoing high-density crime-fighting operation, Operation Shanela.

Led by Provincial Commissioners in each region, the operation resulted in significant arrests, including 2733 wanted suspects, 125 for murder, 116 for attempted murder, and 227 for rape, with KwaZulu-Natal having the highest number of arrests for rape. In addition, 1840 people were arrested for assault, 216 for drug dealing, and 1486 for drug possession, while 90 were arrested for illegal possession of firearms. The operation also led to the arrest of 1137 illegal foreign nationals and 421 people for drunk driving.

Further successes included the recovery of 101 firearms, 4053 rounds of ammunition, and 83 hijacked or stolen vehicles. Notable incidents included a police operation in Free State that led to the arrest of a suspect with military-grade ammunition and explosives, as well as a foiled cash-in-transit robbery in Gauteng where three suspects were killed and seven firearms seized. The operation also saw significant efforts in combating stock theft in the Eastern Cape and a successful takedown related to ATM bombings in Limpopo.

In the ongoing Operation Vala Umgodi, aimed at tackling illegal mining, 147 miners were arrested, with notable operations in Limpopo and the Northern Cape resulting in the seizure of illegal diamonds. Additionally, a factory producing counterfeit hair products was discovered in KwaZulu-Natal, leading to two arrests.