By OBAKENG MAJE
14 October 2025 – More than 1454 suspects were arrested for various crimes during Operation Shanela II in North West. The police said Operation Shanela II is an enhanced crime prevention operation combating crime weekly.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the operation was conducted between 6 and 12 October 2025. Mokgwabone said the operation, among others, focused on stop and searches, roadblocks, vehicle check points (VCPs), high-visibility patrols, including foot patrols, the tracing of wanted suspects, the confiscation of illegal firearms, as well as visits to liquor outlets and taverns.
“The suspects included those arrested for murder, for robbery, rape, assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and common, burglary at business and residential premises, driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, contravention of the Immigration Act, illegal dealing in liquor and possession of drugs and illegal possession of firearms.
“Out of the 1454 suspects, 447 were circulated wanted suspects apprehended after being linked to the committed crimes through forensic DNA leads. Moreover, police confiscated a variety of drugs, three firearms, 108 rounds of ammunition, three vehicles, liquor, and tobacco products,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said in Mahikeng, five Zimbabweans (four men and a woman) aged between 22 and 38, appeared in the Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court on 13 October 2025, for Contravention of Section 83(a)(b) of the Nature Conservation Ordinance, No. 12 of 1983. He added that they were all remanded in custody until 17 October 2025, for further investigation.
“All accused were arrested during a joint illegal fishing operation by Mahikeng Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit, South African Police Service Water Wing, Departments of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation & Tourism, Home Affairs (immigration), Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Mmabatho Visible Policing and Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) on 10 October 2025, at Tontonyane village, near Mmabatho.
“The team members were on duty when they spotted massive quantities of fish on the roof of a house next to the dam. Subsequent search conducted at the house led to the discovery of eight bags and two boxes containing dry fish,” said Mokgwabone.
He said the suspects were arrested after failing to account for the possession. Mokgwabone said two of the accused, a man and a female, are also facing additional charges of Contravention of Section 49(1)(a) of the Immigration Act, 2002.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng said: “As we usher in the start of the very busy festive season, the South African Police Service (SAPS) with all the Security Cluster and Joint Operational and Intelligence Departments, have intensified law enforcement and compliance inspection operations to create a safe, secure and conducive environment for among others, matriculation and institutions of higher learning examinations, road and tourists safety, major events security, rural safety and the general safety of the community across the province.
“These many arrests and confiscations are the results of the intensification of Operation Shanela especially in the identified crime hotspots.”
The Guardian 