Picture: Dagga confiscated during raids/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
1 April 2026 – Over 413 suspects were arrested for a multitude of offences across the Northern Cape during Operation Paseka under the auspices of Shanela II conducted by the police in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies from 23 March until 29 March 2026. The multi-disciplinary teams from all five districts in the province worked in close cooperation with traffic police, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Transport, Department of Social Development, Department of Labour and Community Policing Structures.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe said these integrated, intelligence-driven operations were led by senior officers at provincial and district level and station commanders with the aim of asserting the authority of the state. Litabe said the arrests were effected for offences such as dealing in drugs, illegal dealing in liquor, possession of drugs, illegal possession of firearms, attempted murder, business robbery and robbery at residential premises.
He further said these include murder, assault with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), common assault, housebreaking at residential premises, business burglary
, malicious damage to property, driving under the influence of alcohol, contravention of immigration law and for theft out of motor vehicles. Litabe added that operational activities also included high-visibility patrols, vehicle control points (VCPs), roadblocks, and the search of hundreds of premises, as well as thousands of individuals and vehicles.
“These efforts led to the closure of 28 unlicensed liquor premises and the tracing of wanted suspects by detectives. Furthermore, the operations resulted in the confiscation of large quantities of alcoholic beverages, ammunition, cash, dangerous weapons, dagga, crystal meth, and mandrax tablets.
“The arrested suspects are expected to appear in various courts across the province during this week,” he said.
Meanwhile, the acting Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Thabo Mphuthi, expressed her satisfaction with the outcome of the operations and commended all members and stakeholders involved and encouraged them to maintain the momentum in the fight against crime.
The Guardian 