The South African Police Service (SAPS) continues to make significant progress in tackling crime through Operation Shanela, a high-density crime-fighting initiative that has led to the arrest of 13,233 suspects between February 17 and February 23, 2025. This bold and proactive strategy includes tracking operations, roadblocks, high-visibility patrols, stop-and-search operations, and the tracing of wanted suspects.
The week-long operation, overseen by Provincial Commissioners across the country, resulted in the arrest of 2,246 wanted suspects, many of whom were linked to serious and violent crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape, and house and business robberies. KwaZulu-Natal emerged as a hotspot for violent crime, with 51 suspects arrested for murder and 100 for rape. Assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm accounted for 1,600 arrests, while 1,613 suspects were taken into custody for drug possession, with the Western Cape recording 812 of these arrests.
Criminal activity involving illegal firearms was also targeted, with 112 suspects arrested for firearm-related offences, including 34 in KwaZulu-Natal alone. Meanwhile, 930 undocumented foreign nationals were detained, and 659 drivers were arrested for drunk driving, with Gauteng recording the highest number of cases.
In addition to the arrests, SAPS confiscated 113 firearms, 3,607 rounds of ammunition, and recovered 61 hijacked or stolen vehicles. Several high-profile operations took place during the week, demonstrating the effectiveness of intelligence-driven policing.
In the Eastern Cape, seven armed suspects were fatally shot in a gunfight with the National Intervention Unit (NIU) on the N2 in Butterworth. The police acted on intelligence about two vehicles transporting firearms from Cofimvaba. When officers attempted to stop the vehicles, the suspects opened fire, leading to a shootout. Four AK-47 rifles and two pistols were recovered at the scene.
In KwaZulu-Natal, a 35-year-old man was arrested for illegal possession of a large quantity of ammunition and a rifle. Acting on a search warrant, police seized an AR style rifle, multiple magazines, and thousands of rounds of ammunition, including 7.62x39mm and 5.56mm rounds. The firearms and ammunition were discovered in Sydenham and Kwadakhaza, further demonstrating the ongoing threat of illegal arms trafficking.
In the Western Cape, two suspects were apprehended for illegal possession of unlicensed firearms. A police search uncovered six rifles hidden inside a vehicle. Meanwhile, at OR Tambo International Airport, two South African nationals were caught smuggling cocaine worth an estimated R7.5 million after arriving on separate flights from Brazil.
In Gauteng, two armed suspects attempted to free a detainee en route to court, leading to a high-speed chase and shootout. The suspects’ vehicle crashed, and two individuals were arrested. A third suspect was rearrested in Elsburg, with a firearm seized at the scene.
In Mpumalanga, police arrested a 49-year-old Somali national and seized illicit cigarettes worth R3.4 million in Middelburg. Officers intercepted an Iveco truck carrying contraband following a tip-off. Operation Shanela has reaffirmed SAPS’s commitment to maintaining law and order through intelligence-led policing and decisive action against crime. Police officials have vowed to continue their operations and assert the authority of the state to ensure the safety and security of all South Africans and visitors.
With ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks, seize illegal firearms, and crack down on drug trafficking and organized crime, SAPS remains determined to restore public confidence in law enforcement and create safer communities across the country.
