Operation Shanela, a weekly multi-disciplinary high-density operation aimed at reducing contact and violent crimes in hotspot areas, achieved significant results during its deployment from 20 to 26 January 2025. The Northern Cape centered operations resulted in 186 arrests and included 9,900 targeted actions and police activities such as vehicle checkpoints, stop-and-search operations, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, and efforts to combat drug and commodity smuggling.

Roadblocks and vehicle checkpoints were set up across the province, with 1,929 vehicles and 4,623 individuals stopped and searched. Compliance inspections were conducted at second-hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security companies, firearm dealers, farms, mines, and both formal and informal businesses. As part of the operation’s disruptive efforts, random visits were also carried out at schools in collaboration with the Safer Schools initiative, involving representatives from the Department of Education and SAPS.

The arrests included suspects charged with murder, attempted murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, malicious damage to property, drug-related offenses, driving under the influence, and undocumented immigration violations. Police also detained wanted individuals. Confiscated items included large volumes of alcohol, drugs, nonferrous metal goods, and cash believed to be proceeds of criminal activities.

Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola credited the success of Operation Shanela to strong stakeholder collaboration and the active involvement of the community. She further emphasised the importance of collective efforts in dismantling criminal networks and ensuring safer communities.