The South African Police Service (SAPS) arrested 12,805 suspects between 10 and 16 February 2025 as part of its high-density crime-fighting initiative, Operation Shanela. This nationwide operation continues to demonstrate SAPS’s bold approach to tackling crime, involving tracking operations, roadblocks, high-visibility patrols, stop-and-search efforts, and tracing wanted suspects. Led by the Provincial Commissioner in each province, the operation has yielded significant results across the country.
During this week, SAPS arrested 2 122 wanted suspects for serious and violent crimes, including murder, attempted murder, rape, and business and house robberies. The police recorded 151 arrests for murder, with 34 of these in KwaZulu-Natal, along with 121 arrests for attempted murder. Another 208 suspects were arrested for rape, with KwaZulu-Natal again leading with 90 arrests. Additionally, 1 447 suspects were detained for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Drug-related crimes accounted for the arrest of 242 drug dealers and 2 468 individuals for possession of drugs, with the Western Cape reporting 1,508 arrests, the highest in the country. SAPS also arrested 89 individuals for the illegal possession of firearms, with the majority in KwaZulu-Natal. Authorities detained 1 108 illegal foreign nationals and 353 drivers for drunk driving, with Gauteng leading with 90 arrests. Throughout the week’s operations, SAPS recovered 129 firearms, 1 823 rounds of ammunition, and 70 hijacked or stolen vehicles.
Several major incidents occurred during the week. In Mpumalanga, a task team investigating the torching of several Putco buses in Nkangala District on 11 February arrested two additional suspects, bringing the total to four. In Gauteng, law enforcement apprehended three suspects, including a ringleader, suspected of ATM bombings. They were found with dye-stained cash totaling R160,000 and chemicals used to clean stained money.
In the Eastern Cape, police arrested a 30-year-old man in connection with the murder of a 31-year-old woman in Ludiwana. During his arrest, authorities seized three firearms, including a revolver and two pistols, as well as police uniforms. Also in Gauteng, police uncovered an online drug syndicate selling steroids, scheduled medicines, and stimulants, leading to the arrest of six suspects at various locations in Pretoria.
In Limpopo, a most-wanted suspect linked to 17 cases of serious and violent crimes was fatally shot during a police operation in Ga-Kompane on 11 February. Police seized a motor vehicle and a firearm at the scene. Three additional suspects were killed in a shootout with the National Intervention Unit (NIU) in Indwe, Eastern Cape. Officers recovered two unlicensed firearms, ammunition, and a confiscated Toyota Etios vehicle. Lastly, a multi-disciplinary operation in Pietermaritzburg led to the arrest of a 48-year-old man for illegal possession of firearms. Authorities seized two rifles, two pistols, ammunition, and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) uniforms during the operation.
SAPS reiterated its commitment to continuing Operation Shanela to assert the authority of the state and ensure the safety and security of all South Africans and visitors.
