“These crime-fighting initiatives and successes are attributed to intelligence-led takedowns, high-visibility patrols and strategic interventions across multiple provinces,” the police said on Monday.

The police’s Operation Shanela has also secured the arrest of 2 124 most wanted suspects linked to heinous crimes, including murder, rape, car hijackings and armed robberies.

Key arrests:

117 suspects were arrested for murder. KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest arrests (40), followed by Gauteng (27).
125 attempted murder suspects were arrested across the country.
233 suspects were arrested for rape, with the majority of arrests in KwaZulu-Natal with 119.
322 suspects arrested for dealing in drugs, with 62 in the Western Cape, 59 in KwaZulu-Natal, 58 in Gauteng, and 50 in the Northern Cape.
1 615 suspects were arrested for possession of drugs, with the majority of arrests in KwaZulu-Natal (418), followed by Gauteng (308), Western Cape (291) and the Eastern Cape (195).
141 suspects were arrested for illegal possession of unlicensed firearms.
Police also arrested 760 suspects for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (198 in Mpumalanga, 135 in Gauteng and 132 in KwaZulu-Natal).

Major seizures and recoveries

1 275 rounds of ammunition were seized during this period.
25 169 litres of alcohol were seized, including 9 827 litres in Northern Cape alone.
Contraband worth more than R7.2 million was confiscated, crippling illicit trade networks.
74 stolen vehicles were recovered, ranging from sedans to trucks and motorcycles

Highlights of takedowns

Gauteng: Police arrested a suspected illegal miner for possession of two AK-47 rifles and ammunition during a disruptive operation conducted in Magaliesburg, West Rand District on15 October 2025. The team also seized 15 tons of gold bearing material.

The Gauteng Counterfeit Unit, in collaboration with brand protectors, confiscated 58 240 counterfeit and illicit items, including cellphone accessories, toys, consumables, clothing and illicit pharmaceutical products worth R8 367 200.

Limpopo: On 14 October 2025, a 30-year-old suspect linked to a series of business robberies, committed in various parts of Mopani District, was arrested. Several appliances were also recovered.

Two suspects were arrested, and two firearms and ammunition were seized during a shootout with police in Bolobedu, Tzaneen.

Western Cape: Anti-Gang Unit members executed a search and seizure warrant in Langebaan and discovered five rifles, two shotguns, two pistols, one .38 special revolver and a .22 revolver. They arrested an Algerian foreign national, who was linked to a local gang in Kengsington on 17 October 2025.

Free Sate: On 16 October 2025, police intercepted a suspicious vehicle on the N1 with three occupants and discovered 248 bottles (100ml) of Bronlceer cough syrup medicine inside the vehicle. All three suspects were arrested and charged with contravention of Medicines and Related Substances Act, and possession of suspected stolen property.

KwaZulu-Natal: A 20-year-old suspect, who was wanted for murder and several cases of house and business robberies, was shot and killed in a shootout with police at Cato Manor in Durban on 16 October 2025. Police seized a firearm and ammunition.

Two suspected armed robbers were shot and killed in a shootout with police during a takedown in a complex in Durban, in the Waterfall area, on 14 October 2025.

The police said with festive season operations already launched across multiple provinces, Operation Shanela’s impact will be felt nationwide.

“These arrests send a stark warning to prospective criminal: do not even consider engaging in any form of criminal activity. As the festive season rapidly approaches, these operations will be conducted with intensified force and precision,” said National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola.

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Nationwide Arrests and Major Seizures

Between 28 July and 3 August 2025, SAPS operations in Limpopo, Western Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, and Mangaung Metro led to the arrest of over 1,100 individuals. Key incidents include:

• Limpopo: 825 arrests for serious crimes including murder, rape, assault GBH, robbery, and illegal firearm possession. Seized items included over 1,300 litres of alcohol, counterfeit goods, knives, ammunition and cash.

• Western Cape: A 42-year-old suspect was arrested in Grassy Park for drug dealing, illegal liquor sales, and unlawful possession of police-issued equipment. The arrest followed a raid in the Sondela informal settlement.

• Northern Cape: 341 suspects arrested, with large quantities of drugs, counterfeit clothing, illicit tobacco, firearms and dangerous weapons confiscated. Operation Basadi was launched on 1 August to highlight the role of women in law enforcement during Women’s Month.

• Groblershoop: Coordinated raids uncovered R1.9 million in counterfeit clothing and R462,920 in illicit tobacco. Police also confiscated illegal fireworks and electronic devices in violation of the Electronic Communications Act.

• Mangaung Metro: Local foot patrols in crime hotspots resulted in arrests for undocumented residency and drunk driving. Police conducted public engagement to share safety tips and promised further operations.

Provincial police commissioners praised the dedication of officers and the support of local communities and partners in sustaining the operations.

Parliament Flags Alarming Conviction Gap

Despite the visible policing presence and large-scale arrests, concerns persist regarding the effectiveness of follow-through in the courts. In response to a parliamentary question by ANC MP Mogodu Samuel Moela, the Minister of Police disclosed that since Operation Shanela’s inception in May 2023, more than 3.68 million cases have been opened, but only 215,233 convictions have been achieved.

Convictions by Province:

• Western Cape: 54,125

• Gauteng: 37,440

• KwaZulu-Natal: 30,131

• Limpopo: 26,389

• Eastern Cape: 23,804

• Free State: 15,879

• Mpumalanga: 11,214

• North West: 9,437

• Northern Cape: 6,814

The conviction rate stands at just under 6 percent nationally, suggesting a systemic issue in the progression of cases from arrest to successful prosecution.

When asked for gender-specific data on these cases, the Minister explained that providing a demographic breakdown would require an extensive and time-consuming physical docket analysis. Such an exercise, he noted, would likely disrupt service delivery due to the scope and scale of the crimes involved.

Criticism from Civil Society

During a previous interview with ProtectionWeb, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, offered a blunt assessment. “There’s no indication to us that they’re being successfully convicted. I think it’s a massive waste of resources. It is a very old-fashioned way of policing.”

While he acknowledged that the operation may have some seasonal value, Cameron was clear in his view that the current approach is flawed. “I think there is a place for something like Shanela, especially during holiday periods and that type of thing. I think there is potential value in it. But, it’s high numbers of low-level street arrests that in most cases, don’t see a successful conviction.”

Cameron warned that the burden placed on the detective services is considerable and counterproductive. “They put the detective services under immense pressure. If you go and spend time with detectives on ground level where Shanela was active, they hate it. They hate it with an absolute passion, because the dockets that they end up having to build are terrible. The information they get from the arrest work is usually kind of worthless, and they just feel like they’ve got other solid matters to be working on, in-depth investigations they would rather zoom in on.”

He added, “If you can’t indicate to me that you had a solid conviction for each one of those arrests, it means nothing. In fact, I think instead of being a deterrent, I think some criminals that just come off of it unharmed again just find it even more comfortable to be criminal in South Africa.”

Although Operation Shanela and its provincial offshoots have disrupted criminal activity and bolstered police presence, the growing disparity between arrests and actual convictions, combined with mounting criticism from civil society, raises hard questions about the operation’s long-term impact. Without a clear link between arrests and successful prosecutions, the effectiveness of Shanela as a crime deterrent is doubtful.

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General Masemola has also directed SAPS officers to respond swiftly and thoroughly to reports of bullying, stressing that delays, particularly those that result in viral videos before action is taken, must be avoided. He emphasised the critical role of school learners, bystanders, and those with knowledge of such incidents in reporting them without hesitation.

This call to action follows a specific case in which seven girls, aged between 13 and 15, were arrested after being implicated in an incident of bullying against a 14-year-old girl. The arrests formed part of a broader national effort, which saw 16,001 individuals detained for various offences during the week. The seven pupils were traced and apprehended by police and subsequently released into the custody of their parents in accordance with the Child Justice Act. They appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrates Court and are scheduled to return on Wednesday, 21 May 2025, to face charges of common assault.

General Masemola issued a clear warning that bullying is a criminal offence with serious legal consequences. He stated that acts of bullying may result in charges such as assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, common assault, crimen injuria, and others. A conviction can lead to a permanent criminal record, potentially derailing future opportunities. He warned that police would not hesitate to trace and prosecute anyone involved in such behaviour, highlighting cases in which victims of bullying have taken their own lives. He also cautioned bystanders against enabling or encouraging bullying, noting they could be held legally accountable as accomplices.

The SAPS, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education through the School Safety Memorandum of Understanding, has been conducting awareness campaigns in schools across South Africa. These initiatives include talks on the dangers of bullying and gangsterism, as well as targeted raids to search for sharp objects, drugs, and illegal weapons.

The Commissioner called on all South Africans to stand united in opposition to bullying to ensure the creation of safer environments for young people.

This recent case is one of several that SAPS has dealt with in recent weeks. In Letlhabile, near Brits, police arrested a 16-year-old boy in connection with a separate bullying incident. That investigation, which involves up to 20 other children, remains ongoing.

Operation Shanela successes

The arrests form part of Operation Shanela, which was conducted nationwide between 12 and 18 May 2025. During this period, SAPS recorded significant law enforcement actions, including 223 arrests for rape, with KwaZulu-Natal accounting for 106 of those. There were 82 arrests for illegal firearm possession, 272 for illegal drug dealing, with the Western Cape leading at 55 arrests, 646 for illegal alcohol trading, and 2,847 for drug possession, over half of which were in the Western Cape. In addition, police arrested 183 individuals for murder, with the Eastern Cape accounting for the highest number at 52.

Further notable figures include 81 arrests for illicit mining and 679 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Among the notable confiscations were 65 hijacked or stolen vehicles and 128 illegal firearms.

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Efforts to Strengthen Firearm Control

Tracking Illegal Firearms

Firearms continue to be a key weapon in violent crimes across South Africa, prompting significant concern over the need for stronger control measures. In his response, Minister Mchunu explained that the SAPS is currently reviewing the Firearms Control Act of 2000, aiming to tighten regulations around firearm ownership, focusing on preventing the theft and loss of legal firearms that can subsequently be used for illegal activities. Minister Mchunu noted that ongoing operations, such as Operation Shanela, are central to SAPS efforts to track and seize illegal firearms. Firearms recovered in these operations, as well as those voluntarily surrendered to the police, are destroyed every six months to ensure they are permanently removed from circulation.

Preventing Police-Issued Firearms from Reaching Criminals

In light of concerns about police-issued firearms being misused, Mchunu highlighted SAPS’s stringent internal controls designed to prevent such incidents. The key regulation in this effort is National Instruction (NI) 6 of 2018, which governs the management of movable government property within the police service. According to Mchunu, all police-issued firearms are managed through the Provisioning Administration System (PAS). These firearms are marked with the SAPS logo and undergo test firing as part of the Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS) before they are issued to officers. Firearms must be stored in SANAS-approved safes or strong rooms when not in use, and officers are required to wear firearms with a retention cord, unless their duties demand concealment. Regular inspections ensure compliance with these safety measures.

Addressing Operation Shanela’s Effectiveness

Concerns Over Low Conviction Rates

While Operation Shanela has resulted in thousands of arrests, concerns have been raised regarding its effectiveness in securing convictions. Critics suggest that the low conviction rate points to issues with investigative quality and case preparedness. In response, Mchunu acknowledged these concerns but pointed out that the operation is multidisciplinary, involving not only regular police officers but also detectives who focus specifically on tracking and arresting wanted suspects. He explained that the prosecution process is complex and involves cases from both Operation Shanela and routine policing. The outcome of prosecutions, including convictions, is influenced by factors beyond the SAPS’s control, such as court availability and the judicial system’s overall capacity to handle the caseload.

Mchunu emphasized the SAPS’s commitment to transitioning towards intelligence-driven policing to improve the quality of investigations and increase conviction rates. While current operations like Shanela have had a significant impact on arrests, shifting focus to more targeted, intelligence-based approaches is seen as a critical step in enhancing the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts.

Despite the challenges, SAPS is actively working to refine its strategies in both firearm control and investigation procedures, aiming to reduce crime and ensure that offenders are held accountable. However, the police service’s success will depend on various external factors, including judicial support and resources, as well as continued internal reforms.

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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.

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The initiative includes tracking operations, roadblocks, high-visibility patrols, stop-and-search procedures, and the tracing of wanted suspects. These operations are led by the Provincial Commissioner in each province, ensuring a coordinated and effective effort in combating criminal activities.

During the past week, SAPS arrested 2,531 wanted suspects, marking an increase of 661 arrests compared to the previous week. Among those apprehended, 158 were taken into custody for murder, with the majority of arrests occurring in Gauteng. Additionally, 146 suspects were arrested for attempted murder, while 254 were detained for rape, including 95 in KwaZulu-Natal. The police also arrested 1,754 suspects for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) and 235 individuals for drug dealing, with the highest number of arrests in the Western Cape.

The crackdown on illegal drugs resulted in the arrest of 1,761 suspects for possession, with the Western Cape again recording the highest number at 758. Police also confiscated 130 firearms, including 97 handguns, 17 homemade firearms, nine rifles, and seven shotguns, alongside 3,002 rounds of ammunition. A total of 74 hijacked and stolen vehicles were recovered during the operations.

Operation Shanela also targeted illegal firearm possession, leading to 103 arrests, with the highest number recorded in KwaZulu-Natal. Authorities also apprehended 1,370 illegal foreign nationals and arrested 550 drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol. Gauteng recorded the highest number of DUI arrests at 103, followed by Mpumalanga and the Western Cape, each with 94 arrests.

Several major takedowns highlighted the effectiveness of the operation. On 12 March 2025, the SAPS Border Policing High-Density Team arrested Nelson Simiao Massango, a convicted Mozambican fugitive who had escaped from Maputo Maximum Prison during unrest in December 2024. Massango, linked to multiple vehicle theft cases in Gauteng, was captured at a car hire dealership in Sandton.

In a significant breakthrough, Gauteng police uncovered an illicit alcohol manufacturing plant in Westonaria, Johannesburg, leading to the arrest of two Taiwanese nationals. Authorities discovered illicit alcohol valued at approximately R1 million, already packaged for distribution, along with chemicals used in production.

A shootout in Lenasia, Johannesburg, saw one suspect fatally shot, two injured, and two others arrested. This occurred when SAPS Tactical Response Unit and Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) intercepted a group of ten criminals planning an ATM bombing. The suspects were also wanted for multiple ATM bombings and other serious crimes across Gauteng and neighboring provinces.

Kidnapping cases were also successfully addressed. A multi-disciplinary team led by the Anti-Kidnapping Task Team rescued an Ethiopian businessman who had been kidnapped in Norwood, Johannesburg. The victim was found in a house in Kensington, where a shootout ensued, resulting in the death of one suspect and the arrest of five others. Police seized four firearms, including an AK pattern rifle, along with ammunition.

In a separate incident, SAPS rescued a 55-year-old Pakistani businessman and arrested four kidnappers, two South Africans and two Pakistani nationals, at different locations in Gauteng on 13 March 2025. An illegal firearm and a vehicle were also seized during this operation.

In the Eastern Cape, police apprehended six men on the N2 highway near Kinkelbos following the fatal shooting of a 40-year-old man during a house robbery in KwaMaqoma. The suspects were found in possession of an unlicensed firearm, ammunition, and a stolen cellphone.

In a recent interview with ProtectionWeb, Chairman of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, raised concern around the discrepancy between arrest numbers and successful convictions. Operation Shanela sees weekly arrests of 10,000 to 13,000 people, yet “we see little evidence of successful prosecutions.” He criticised the operation as “a high visibility but ineffective strategy” that overburdens detectives without addressing core criminal structures. “Mass arrests are meaningless if they don’t lead to solid convictions.”

The backlog in the judicial system and the inefficiencies in case handling contribute significantly to this issue, says Cameron. “It’s not just about making arrests. If the prosecution process is weak, then those arrests mean nothing. We need a criminal justice pipeline that ensures arrests lead to convictions and that criminals do not re-enter the system due to procedural failures.”

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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.

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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.

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During this week alone, police arrested 2,777 wanted suspects for serious and violent crimes, including murder, attempted murder, rape, and business and house robberies. A total of 209 suspects were arrested for murder, with the highest numbers in KwaZulu-Natal (72) and Gauteng (63). Another 111 suspects were arrested for attempted murder, while 247 individuals were taken into custody for rape, with KwaZulu-Natal accounting for 113 of these arrests. Assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm led to 1,880 arrests, and drug-related crimes resulted in 174 drug dealers and 1,838 individuals being detained, with the Western Cape recording 949 of these arrests. Police also arrested 99 suspects for illegal possession of firearms, most of them in KwaZulu-Natal (30) and the Western Cape (27). Additionally, 1,285 illegal foreign nationals were detained, and 625 drivers were arrested for drunken driving, with Gauteng recording the highest number (183).

In terms of recoveries and confiscations, police seized 108 firearms, 1,321 rounds of ammunition, and 65 hijacked or stolen vehicles.

Several major takedowns took place during the week. In the Free State, members of the Fezile Dabi District Infrastructure Team arrested a 46-year-old truck driver for transporting stolen copper cables worth over R8 million. In Northam, a joint intelligence-driven operation led to the arrest of a 35-year-old man found trafficking dagga worth over R15 million. Meanwhile, in Limpopo, a well-coordinated tactical operation uncovered an illegal mining processing plant, resulting in the arrest of four foreign nationals, including two suspected kingpins.

In Mpumalanga, 20 security officers were arrested for possessing fraudulently acquired firearm competency certificates. KwaZulu-Natal police arrested two suspected hitmen linked to the murder of a ward councillor and the attempted murder of his sister in Sundumbili. The same suspects were also connected to the murder of an induna in the area.

Another major bust in Komani, Eastern Cape, saw a 55-year-old suspected drug trafficker arrested with mandrax tablets worth R9 million. Acting on intelligence, police intercepted an Isuzu truck along Cathcart Road, discovering 111 bags containing 1,000 mandrax tablets.

SAPS remains committed to enforcing the law and ensuring the safety of all South Africans and visitors. Operation Shanela will continue to assert the authority of the state in combating crime across the country.

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Operation Shanela, loosely translated as “to sweep clean”, came into being under the watch of former police minister Bheki Cele.

Ramaphosa called the operation “a bold and decisive approach to dealing with crime” in his address to an invited audience at the Cape Town City Hall. Among others, it sees police using track and trace methods, roadblocks, stop and search and high visibility patrols to detain suspects and prevent the commission of crimes.

“We must tackle the scourge of gun violence that has plagued our society for decades,” SANews reports him saying, adding he asked Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and SAPS National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola to prioritise reducing gun-related crime and violence.

“This includes preventing the diversion of firearms into the illicit market and recovering illegal firearms in circulation. We know from international evidence and our own experience that this is the most effective way to reduce overall violent crime.”

He said police had partnered with metropolitan municipalities and was working with communities to fight crime in priority provinces where crime was particularly high.

“We want a nation in which everyone is safe. The police continue to work with other law enforcement agencies to dismantle organised crime syndicates and combat financial and violent crimes,” he said.

The SAPS Detective Service – crucial to solving cases – will be expanded by 4 000 personnel through internal recruitment processes.

“We are working on adopting surveillance, analytics and smart policing solutions for modern law enforcement.

“We have seen the value of technology in fighting crime. By using AI (artificial intelligence) in its fraud risk detection and verification work, SARS (SA Revenue Service) has prevented the leakage of over R95 billion in impermissible refunds, recovered R20 billion in revenue and dismantled an illicit tobacco and gold scheme,” SANews has Ramaphosa saying.

Government, according to the President, continues to work across society to end the violence perpetrated against women.

“We have promulgated the National Council on Gender-based Violence and Femicide Act, establishing a national structure to oversee a co-ordinated response to this crisis.”

Government, he said, would ensure the Council is fully functional and properly resourced.

“We continue to strengthen support to victims of gender-based violence. There are now 65 Thuthuzela care centres across the country. Out of 52 districts in the country, 44 have GBV (gender-based violence) shelters,” the President said.

All police stations in the country have victim friendly services and a further 16 sexual offences courts will be established in the next financial year.

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