Operation Screen West Africa 2025 (July – October) brought together law enforcement agencies from 12 West African countries to strengthen border security, track persons with links to terrorism and disrupt transnational organized crime networks, Interpol said in a statement. Frontline officers at land, air and sea borders used Interpol Mobile Devices and other systems to access the Organization’s extensive global databases, carrying out a total of 1.7 million real-time checks, up from 1.3 million in 2024.

In all, Operation Screen West Africa 2025 led to nine arrests of individuals suspected of connections with terrorism. It also generated almost 250 “hits” against Interpol databases, including seven linked to Red Notices and nine linked to Blue Notices citing terrorist activities.

Among the operation’s most notable successes were the arrests in Burkina Faso of two individuals wanted by law enforcement authorities, and subject to Blue Notices issued by Côte d’Ivoire, who were involved in terrorist attacks by Al-Qaeda affiliated terrorist group JNIM that killed more than ten security personnel in Côte d’Ivoire in 2020.

Notably, Blue Notices are requests between Interpol member countries to collect additional information about a person’s identity, location or activities, in relation to a criminal investigation. These arrests will allow law enforcement officers to further investigate the deadly attack.

Officers in Burkina Faso also arrested a third individual known to have connections to terrorism, who was also the subject of a Blue Notice issued by Togo in 2024 during FIRST (Facial, Imaging, Recognition, Searching and Tracking), another Interpol operation that took place in West Africa focusing on identifying suspected terrorists and requesting follow-up Blue Notices.

In Mauritania, six individuals were arrested over suspected links to a terrorist attack. Mauritania requested the publication of Blue Notices seeking more information on these suspects.

“These cases highlight how the operational support we offer member countries and our unique specialist tools can make the links that identify suspected terrorists and disrupt their attempts to create fear and endanger communities. We are determined to counter these threats and constantly work with our member countries to strengthen global security,” said Cyril Gout, acting Interpol Executive Director Police Services.

Officers in Ghana were also able to free 21 victims of human trafficking who had been held in Nigeria and exploited in connection with fraudulent schemes.

The operation also included checks at harbours and in territorial waters. Interpol said it alerted participating countries about vessels using deceptive shipping practices, such as identity tampering, so-called dark operations, where ships deliberately switch off their identification systems, and frequent flag changes, or “flag hopping”.

Operational seizures included:

17 caches of weapons and ammunition
Explosives, including dynamite and detonators
136 stolen vehicles
731 kg of cannabis
Counterfeit medicine including fake branded opioid pain relief tablets
Counterfeit currency and fraudulent documents

The proceeds from many of these items may be used to finance terrorism or fund organised crime activities, Interpol highlighted. It said the 12 participating countries in the operation were Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, the Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

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The 27 October arrest followed from information received regarding an individual who was suspected to be in possession of unlicensed firearms and live ammunitions, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) said.

Upon arrival with a search warrant at the suspect’s plot, officers found his wife, who alleged that her husband was at work. She was then informed of the reason for the visit and shown the approved search warrant. However, she refused the officers entry whilst dogs on the premises made it difficult for the police to gain access. The SAPS and EMPD K9 units were called to the scene to help contain the dogs. After a few minutes, the suspect arrived and the search commenced in his presence.

While searching, live ammunition was found in a safe upstairs, while in the main bedroom 79 9 mm rounds, two 9 mm magazines and one R5 magazine, were found along with 25 R5 rounds and a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) uniform.

Next to a large safe was a crate containing 12 types of explosives. Inside the locked safe, that the SAPS Technical Support Unit had to drill open, members recovered an R5 rifle, a handgun and a .22 rim fire long rifle inside, along with 684 9 mm rounds, 709 R5 rounds, 22 shotgun rounds, 400 .22 rounds, and 92 R1 rounds. Explosives experts and the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) were contacted to the scene, and all the exhibits were seized.

The suspect was read his rights and was detained at the Heidelberg police station. Facing charges of possession of military uniform, explosives, unlicensed firearms, live ammunition and he is expected to appear before the Magistrate court soon, the EMPD said.

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During the unrest, approximately 1.2 million rounds of ammunition and 800 000 primers were stolen from a shipment in the Mobeni industrial area during the violent disturbances. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), alongside SAPS, launched an investigation into the theft, Mchunu told Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane. The investigation led to the identification and arrest of 16 suspects on charges related to the possession of unlicensed ammunition. In total, 47 325 rounds of the stolen ammunition have been recovered to date.

The status of the 16 related cases is as follows:

• One accused was found guilty and sentenced to eight years in prison, with three years suspended for five years.
• Five ongoing cases involving four suspects are still in court.
• Eight cases involving 10 accused were withdrawn in court.
• The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) declined to prosecute in two cases.

Regarding allegations of SAPS members’ involvement in the incident, the investigation revealed that the stolen ammunition was not under SAPS protection at the time of the looting. The cargo was meant to be transported to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs Licensed Container depot in Durban, where it was supposed to undergo inspection by the SAPS Firearm, Liquor and Second-Hand Goods Control (FLASH) unit.

However, prior to the looting, the truck containing the ammunition was left unguarded at the driver’s work premises during the unrest. It was reported that the cargo was subsequently looted from this unsecured location.

In June 2022, two SAPS members, a sergeant and a student constable, were implicated in the case after they purchased some of the stolen ammunition and reported it to the DPCI. A thorough investigation was conducted, resulting in criminal charges against both individuals for purchasing stolen ammunition and failing to follow proper legal procedures, as outlined in Section 252A of the Criminal Procedure Act.

The student constable was dismissed from the Police Academy in January 2023 following the investigation, while departmental action was taken against the sergeant. Tragically, in November 2023, the sergeant was fatally wounded while responding to an armed robbery incident in Durban.

As a result of his death and the relocation of a key witness to India, the criminal case against both SAPS members was withdrawn in court.

The ammunition was part of a shipment originating from Brazil and destined for a company based in Centurion, Gauteng. The cargo was transported via Singapore.

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Free State SA Police Service (SAPS) reports the recovered items as a “large number” of R1 and R5 ammunition, stun and smoke grenades, pencil flares, a thunder flare [flash] and “hand signal smoke”.

The Tuesday 26 November search and seizure operation saw elements from Crime Intelligence, Ladybrand K-9 unit and the Bloemfontein tactical response team (TRT) remove suspected SAPS and SA National Defence Force (SANDF) ammunition and explosives for safekeeping while the investigation continues.

A 56-year-old man was taken into custody and is expected to face charges in connection with possession of stolen ammunition and explosives.

SAPS Free State Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, said “sharpened intelligence” led to the bust.

The South African Police Service said investigation in the matter will be continuing so as to dig deeper into how such a large amount of ammunition and explosives ended up in the hands of an individual who is not authorised to possess it.

The latest bust follows one on 20 November when police in Gauteng arrested a security officer (Mark Llewellyn Kannemeyer) for allegedly selling an assault rifle and ammunition to zama zamas around the West Rand area. A search of the suspect’s work vehicle revealed an AR-15 rifle with a filed-off serial number wrapped in a towel. Kannemeyer claimed the rifle belonged to G4S, his employer, and he was using his company vehicle.

At his house, three additional firearms and various calibres of ammunition (7.62 mm, 5.56 mm, .38 Special, 9 mm, and shotgun) surpassing 2 300 rounds were seized. The suspect stated that these firearms and ammunition also belonged to G4S and that he possessed a permit for them. A follow-up investigation will be conducted to verify these claims, the SAPS said.

“This operation’s success underscores the dedication and effectiveness of our law enforcement agencies in combating illegal firearm activities. We are committed to ensuring the safety and security of our communities and will continue to pursue justice with unwavering resolve”, Stated, the Provincial Head of the Hawks in Gauteng Major General Ebrahim Kadwa.

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KwaZulu-Natal police said 9522 suspects and 258 firearms, including 17 rifles, were recovered, during Operation Shanela and other targeted operations last month.

“One hundred and sixty-seven suspected murderers and 137 attempted murder suspects were among the 3 156 suspects who were arrested for contact crimes. One hundred and forty-eight suspects were put behind bars in connection with cases of robbery, inclusive of house robbery, business robbery, robbery with aggravating circumstances and carjacking,” said provincial police spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda.

Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit detectives arrested 243 suspected rapists.

“Still on contact crimes, 42 suspects were arrested for sexual assault, 1 535 more suspects were nabbed for allegedly assaulting others with an intent to cause grievous bodily harm,” said Netshiunda.

He said 230 suspects were cornered and brought to book for burglaries at residential premises. “Sixty-five suspects were arrested for business burglaries and 30 more suspects were busted for their alleged involvement in cases of stock theft. Thirty-two suspects saw their reign of terror brought to an abrupt halt when they were arrested for a string of theft of motor vehicles as well as theft from motor vehicles.”

“The fight against the proliferation of drugs and the abuse of liquor was intensified and during the operations, 1 380 suspects were arrested for drug-related crimes. Four hundred and forty-five people were arrested for illegal dealing in liquor, 426 people were also arrested for driving under the influence of liquor and a further 73 people were nabbed for drinking in a public place,” said Netshiunda.

He said police recovered almost 3000 rounds of ammunition of various calibre of firearms.

“Four hundred and sixty-three knives and 22 machetes were also recovered during the province-wide operations.”        

KwaZulu-Natal Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC Sipho Hlomuka commended police.

“We commend the work of our law enforcement officers to protect the people of our province from criminal elements. We also appeal to community members to continue to assist police with intelligence information. Government and police cannot win the war against crime without the active involvement of our communities.”

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