By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
25 November 2025 – The police in the North West have during the weekly integrated and multidisciplinary Shanela 2/Safer Festive Season Operations, asserted the authority of the state through the apprehension of 1250 suspects for different crimes ranging from burglaries at residential and non-residential premises, aggravated robberies, murders, rapes, dealing in and possession of drugs to driving under the influence of liquor. The police said the operations, led by commissioned officers, were conducted between 17 and 23 November 2025.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said out of the 1250 arrested suspects, 423 were arrested by Detectives as those on the circulated wanted suspects’ lists. In addressing identified crime generators through compliance inspections to enforce the provisions of the Liquor and Second-Hand Goods Acts, 35 unlicensed liquor outlets (shebeens) were closed and large quantities of liquor confiscated.
Mokgwabone said furthermore, the operations led to the confiscation of seven vehicles, five firearms, 95 rounds of ammunition, two wheelbarrows and housebreaking implements, among others.
“In Rustenburg and Phokeng in the Bojanala Sub-District 2, the Provincial Proactive Drugs Operation, Anti-Gang Unit, Rustenburg Crime Intelligence and Tactical Response Team (TRT), as well as Bafokeng Protective Services, arrested 10 suspects for possession of suspected illegal substances during operations conducted between 18 and 21 November 2025.
“The suspects included two South Africans, three Tanzanians and five Nigerians. The team confiscated cash amounting to R25 500,00 believed to be the proceeds of a crime as well as drugs such as crystal meth, khat, mandrax, heroin and nyaope with estimated street value of R670 000,” he said.
Mokgwabone added that in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, three multidisciplinary Inter-Provincial roadblocks between North West and Northern Cape were conducted on the N18, N12 and N14 roads on 18 November 2025. He said following the operations, 1221 vehicles were stopped and 15 road traffic fines were issued to motorists.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, welcomed the successes and indicated that the police, in collaboration with other JOINTS role players will continue with the high-density operations to stabilise hotspots and ensure public safety.
The Guardian 