By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
9 November 2026 – As the festive season gets underway, the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Northern Cape has intensified its crime prevention and law enforcement efforts through sustained, multi-disciplinary policing operations aimed at combating crime, enhancing police visibility and ensuring the safety and security of communities and visitors across the province.
The commitment to a safer Northern Cape was reaffirmed during the official launch of the Safer Festive Season Operations on 29 October 2026 in Kuruman, where multi-disciplinary law enforcement agencies committed to working collaboratively to prevent, combat and investigate crime across all five districts.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane said in keeping with this commitment, intelligence-driven, high-density policing operations were conducted from 2 and 8 November 2026, under the Safer Festive Season and Operation Shanela II operational framework. Shemane said during the reporting period, policing operations also incorporated comprehensive security arrangements for the 2026 Local Government Elections, including special voting on 2 and 3 November and Election Day on 4 November 2026.
“The police deployments were strategically executed at voting stations and identified hotspots, with members maintaining high visibility, conducting regular patrols and monitoring potential security threats.
“These measures ensured the protection of voters, electoral officials and members of the public, while safeguarding electoral infrastructure and maintaining public order throughout the electoral period,” he said.
Shemane said as part of the ongoing crime-fighting operations, roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints and high-visibility patrols were conducted along national, provincial and district roads, as well as in identified crime hotspots across the province. He said the operations yielded the results.
“More than 2 576 individuals stopped and searched, 1 428 vehicles stopped and searched and 139 suspects were arrested for various criminal offences.
“More than 52 suspects were arrested in connection with Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF)-related cases,” he said.
Shemane further said 42 wanted suspects traced and arrested by Detective Services. He added that the arrest of wanted suspects demonstrates the continued commitment of Detective Services to tracking down individuals linked to outstanding criminal cases, strengthening investigations and ensuring that perpetrators are brought before the courts to face the full might of the law.
“The police also intensified compliance inspections at liquor outlets, resulting in the closure of numerous liquor premises found operating without valid licences or failing to comply with the applicable legal requirements.
“During the operations, various items suspected to be linked to criminal activities were confiscated. These included alcoholic beverages, ammunition, dagga, tik, Mandrax and a homemade firearm,” said Shemane.
He said the SAPS in the Northern Cape remains resolute in its efforts to disrupt criminal networks, prevent the commission of crime and ensure that those who disregard the law are brought to justice. Shemane said the Safer Festive Season and Operation Shanela II operations will continue unabated through sustained, intelligence-led deployments, proactive policing, targeted roadblocks, compliance inspections and focused detective investigations.
“The police further appeal to members of the public to remain vigilant, exercise caution and continue working closely with law enforcement agencies by reporting criminal activities and suspicious behaviour to their nearest police station or through the appropriate reporting channels,” said Shemane.
