Picture: Police conducting stop and search/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
23 March 2026 – Operation Paseka actions have commenced in the Northern Cape to ensure safety and security during the Easter holiday period. These disruptive actions under the auspices of Operation Shanela II, focuses on enhanced crime prevention and combating efforts to curb and address priority crimes in hotspot areas during and beyond the Easter holidays period in the province.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane said these high-density police actions and activities commenced on 16 until 22 March 2026, included Vehicle Check Points (VCPs), stop and searches, roadblocks, tracing of wanted suspects, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections and visits to farms and mines as well as community engagements.
Shemane said during the weekly operations, 269 suspects were apprehended for crimes such as housebreaking and theft, assault with the intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), attempted murder, dealing in drugs, malicious damage to property, possession of drugs, undocumented persons, murder, rape and robberies.
“A total of 8386 individuals and 4891 vehicles were stopped and searched at vehicle check points (VCPs) during police disruptive actions in the five districts. Compliance inspections were executed at second-hand dealers, scrapyards, formal and informal businesses, mines, farms and at liquor premises.
“During compliance inspections a total of 18 unlicensed liquor premises were closed due to non-compliance. Actions led to the confiscation of items believed to have been used in the commission of a crime as well as money believed to be the proceeds of crime. Additionally, police confiscated alcoholic beverages, ammunition, dangerous weapons, and drugs,” he said.
Shemane further said the police together with Community Policing Structures will embark on awareness campaigns addressing trending crimes during the period, and the prevention thereof. He added that this week also saw the release of the crime statistics of the third quarter for the 2025/2026 by the Northern Cape MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Limakatso Koloi together with the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola.
“The province also hosted a successful and incident free National Human Rights Day celebration that was commemorated at the AR Abass Stadium in Kimberley on 21 March 2026,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, assured the public that operations will continue unabated during the Easter holiday period and beyond. Otola stated that a zero-tolerance approach will be implemented towards the abuse of alcohol and crimes committed against women and children.
“The police will be on high alert at parks and public gatherings as well as at resorts ensuring that our communities feel safe and are safe,” she concluded.
The Guardian 