By BAKANG MOKOTO
2 April 2025- More than 761 suspects were arrested for various crimes during Operation Shanela. The suspects were arrested for variety of crimes ranging from burglaries at residential and non-residential premises, aggravated robberies, murders, rapes, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, illegal possession of explosives used mainly in the commission of illegal mining and Cash-in-Transit robberies, dealing in and possession of drugs and driving under the influence of liquor, among others.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the operations led by the District Commissioners, were conducted from 24 until 30 March 2025. Mokgwabone said out of the 761 arrested suspects, it is worth noting that 470 were arrested by the Detectives as those on the circulated wanted suspects’ lists.
“In addition, 18 illegal immigrants were arrested for being in the country in contravention of the Immigration Act, while others were apprehended for illegal mining in Klerksdorp and Hartbeespoortdam policing areas. As part of Operation Shanela, the police identified crime generators through Joint law enforcement compliance inspections to enforce the provisions of the Liquor and Second-Hand Goods Acts.
“Four unlicensed liquor outlets (shebeens) were closed and large quantities of liquor and items such as refrigerators were confiscated. In Sun City, a team comprising various police unit, arrested two suspects in Mogwase on 28 March 2025, where they were attending court as accused in a case of murder allegedly committed in September 2024,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said the pair was arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a man (32) in Ledig village near Sun City on 23 March 2025. He added that, during the arrest, police confiscated a red Toyota Corolla and a choking apparatus.
“The duo, Zamile Zinzile (37) and Robert Kgakatsane (33), briefly appeared in the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court on 31 March 2025, for kidnapping. Meanwhile, the search for the kidnapping victim paid off when his body was found along the R566 road between Tlaseng and Tsitsing villages, outside Rustenburg.
“Similarly, the team arrested the third suspect (34). He is expected to appear in court on 3 April 2025, together with the initial accused and they will all be facing charges of kidnapping and murder,” said Mokgwabone.
He said in Buhrmansdrift, members of Mahikeng Flying Squad were on routine patrol duties on 17 March 2025, when they stopped a suspicious blue Toyota Avanza on the R49 (Mahikeng/Zeerust) road for a search. Mokgwabone said the action led to the discovery of copper cables in the boot of the car.
“The suspects who indicated that they are both security officers, were arrested for possession of suspected stolen goods. Further investigation into the matter established that the cables were stolen from a transformer in Zeerust,” he said.
The Guardian 