The South African Police Service (SAPS) has made 12,892 arrests in a single week as part of its high-density crime prevention initiative, Operation Shanela. The nationwide operation ran from Monday, 17 March, to Sunday, 23 March 2025, and targeted serious and violent crime across the country.
Under the leadership of provincial commissioners, Operation Shanela employed a range of law enforcement tactics, including roadblocks, high-visibility patrols, stop-and-search operations, and the tracking of wanted criminals.
During the week-long operation, SAPS officers apprehended 1,753 wanted suspects for violent crimes, including murder, attempted murder, rape, and armed robbery. A total of 167 individuals were arrested for murder, with the highest numbers recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (45) and the Western Cape (42). Police also arrested 123 suspects for attempted murder and 165 suspects for rape, with 54 of those arrests occurring in KwaZulu-Natal. Additionally, 1,794 individuals were detained for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), while 203 drug dealers were apprehended, with the Eastern Cape recording the most arrests (47). A further 1,507 people were arrested for drug possession, with 689 of those arrests occurring in the Western Cape. The operation also resulted in the arrest of 115 individuals for illegal firearm possession, with 37 of these arrests in KwaZulu-Natal. Ten suspects were taken into custody for human trafficking, while 432 drivers were arrested for drink-driving, with 121 arrests in KwaZulu-Natal.
The police also made significant recoveries during the operation. A total of 119 firearms and 1,335 rounds of ammunition were seized. Additionally, 76 hijacked or stolen vehicles were recovered.
Several notable successes were achieved during the operation. On 18 March 2025, Gauteng police arrested two suspects linked to a series of ‘blue light’ robberies on the N3 Highway between Villiers and De Hoek Toll Gate. The suspects had been impersonating police officers using a vehicle fitted with blue lights and sirens to hijack motorists. During the arrest, police seized unlicensed firearms, a signal jammer, SAPS uniforms, and false vehicle registration plates.
In KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal, on 20 March 2025, four suspected criminals were fatally shot after they opened fire on police in Duffs Road. The suspects were wanted for robbery, murder, and extortion. Three firearms were recovered at the scene.
In Limpopo, authorities disrupted a human smuggling operation. Twenty Ethiopian nationals were arrested after being smuggled across the Beitbridge border in a Ford Ranger bakkie. Shots were exchanged between the smugglers and police before the vehicle was intercepted.
At OR Tambo International Airport on 21 March 2025, a 24-year-old Brazilian man and a 51-year-old South African woman were arrested upon arrival from São Paulo. Police seized cocaine valued at over R1 million. This brings the total number of similar drug arrests at the airport to five since January 2025.
Gauteng police arrested a suspect on 18 March 2025 in connection with the shooting deaths of two bus drivers in Protea and Mapetla on 3 February 2025. A vehicle believed to have been used in the crime was also seized.
On 17 March 2025, a 41-year-old Mozambican national linked to multiple vehicle hijackings in Emanguzi, KwaZulu-Natal, was arrested. He had previously been convicted of similar crimes in Gauteng and Mpumalanga. A stolen truck and two trailers were recovered.
Operation Shanela continues to play a vital role in tackling crime across South Africa, with SAPS maintaining a firm stance against violent offenders and organised criminal activities.
