By STAFF REPORTER
29 September 2026 – The police in North West arrested 1964 suspects during a two-week Operation Shanela 2 crime-fighting operation conducted across the province. The multidisciplinary operation ran from 14 to 26 September 2026, and included stop-and-search operations, roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, high-visibility patrols at crime hotspots and suspect raids.
The North West police spokesperson, Captain Majang Skalkie said the operation demonstrated the commitment of law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to combating crime across the province. Skalkie said The Operation Shanela 2 continues to intensify the fight against crime through multidisciplinary and coordinated operations across the province.
Skalkie further said the police inspected 284 liquor outlets during the operation, resulting in 13 unlicensed liquor premises being closed. She added a total of 898 premises, 3687 people and 1374 vehicles were also searched.
“Detectives arrested 669 suspects during suspect-raiding operations, while others were arrested for a range of serious and other offences. Among the arrests were 13 suspects for murder, nine for rape, three for attempted murder, 22 for aggravated robbery, 13 for business robbery and two for house robbery.
“The police also arrested 194 suspects for assault with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), 129 for common assault, 39 for business burglary and 33 for residential burglary. A further 181 suspects were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, 56 for malicious damage to property and 154 undocumented migrants for contravening the Immigration Act,” she said.
Skalkie said the operation also resulted in arrests for illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives, as well as drug-related offences and illegal liquor and cigarette dealing.
The police confiscated various drugs, tobacco products and liquor, together with five handguns, two rifles and seven vehicles.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Arthur Adams, welcomed the results and commended the multidisciplinary teams and other crime-fighting stakeholders involved in the operation. Adams said the police would continue conducting coordinated operations to disrupt criminal activities and apprehend suspects across the province.
