Picture: Some of the drugs seized by the police/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
17 August 2026 – The police in the Northern Cape in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and government departments, conducted a week-long multi-disciplinary and intelligence-driven Operation Shanela II from 10 until 16 August 2026. The operations formed part of ongoing efforts to prevent and combat crime, disrupt criminal activities and enhance the safety and security of communities across the province.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane said as part of the intensified operations, female police officers conducted high-density policing activities under Operation Basadi, supported by their male counterparts across all five districts of the Northern Cape. Shemane said the concerted operations included vehicle control points (VCPs), stop-and-search operations, roadblocks, the tracing and arrest of wanted suspects, foot and vehicle patrols, as well as compliance inspections at liquor outlets, second-hand goods dealers, farms, mines, and formal and informal businesses.
“During the week-long operations, a total of 8252 persons and 4039 vehicles were stopped and searched at VCPs and roadblocks across the province. A total of 223 suspects were arrested for various offences, including robbery, possession and dealing in drugs, murder, attempted murder, burglary, malicious damage to property, stock theft and offences relating to undocumented persons, among other serious and priority crimes.
“The ongoing efforts by detectives to trace wanted suspects also yielded positive results with 46 wanted individuals arrested during the operations. As part of compliance enforcement measures, 21 unlicensed liquor premises were closed for non-compliance with relevant legislation,” he said.
Shemane further said compliance inspections were further conducted at second-hand goods dealers, liquor outlets, mines, farms and formal and informal businesses to ensure adherence to applicable legislation and to disrupt activities that may contribute to criminality. He added that during the operations, police also confiscated thousands of litres of alcoholic beverages, drugs, dangerous weapons, counterfeit goods, copper and cash.
“In commemoration of Women’s Month, the police in the Northern Cape have further strengthened its partnership with AVBOB, a private-sector stakeholder to address the scourge of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV&F) through collaborative awareness and intervention initiatives.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the police and all law enforcement and government partners, who participated in the operations across the province. Otola also expressed her appreciation to communities for their continued cooperation and assistance in the ongoing fight against crime.
“We remain committed to strengthening partnerships with our communities and external stakeholders to address crime effectively and ensure the safety of all people in the Northern Cape. We will continue to review our operations and adapt our strategies to improve service delivery and enhance the fight against crime,” she said.
Otola said the police in the Northern Cape will continue to conduct intelligence-driven and high-density operations in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to prevent and combat crime and to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
The Guardian 