By AGISANANG SCUFF
27 October 2025- With the aim of ensuring safety and security of all citizens, the North West police said operations conducted under the Safer Festive Season Operation Shanela II between 20 and 27 October 2025 across the province, resulted in the arrest of 1139 suspects. The police said through the execution of actions such as Vehicle Check Points (VCPs), stops and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections at second hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, and farms copper cables, explosives, tobacco products, liquor and a variety of drugs were seized.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said in addition, the operations led to the apprehension of 33 illegal migrants. Mokgwabone said 480 out of the 1139 arrests were for circulated wanted suspects, who were linked to the committed crimes through forensic DNA leads.
“The suspects, among others, included those arrested for rape and attempted rape, assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and common, burglary business and residential, murder and attempted murder, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, for possession of drugs and illegal dealing in liquor.
“In Bojanala Platinum Sub-District 2, members of K9 Unit followed up on information regarding an assault GBH suspect who was successfully traced and found in possession of unlicensed 9mm firearm at Boitekong Extension 2. He was immediately arrested,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit in conjunction with Provincial Proactive Drug Operations Unit, Potchefstroom POP, Ventersdorp Visible Policing and Community In Blue patrollers, arrested five suspects aged between 30 and 40 in Ventersdorp for possession of illegal substances on 23 October 2025. He added that during the arrests, the police confiscated drugs such as crystal meth, khat and mandrax, all with an estimated street value of R21 000.
“In another arrest in the district, six suspects were on Friday evening, 24 October 2025, arrested in Jouberton Location for possession of explosives. The suspects were arrested after the District Economic and Infrastructure Task Team (EITT) members conducted a search at Extension 21, where they also found suspects in possession of material and equipment used for illegal mining. All arrested suspects are illegal migrants from Zimbabwe.
“In Ngaka Modri Molema, the Mahikeng SAPS in collaboration with the Community Police Forum (CPF), the National heliport, Ramatlabama Port of Entry, (Public Order Police (POP), Stock theft and Endangered Species (STES) Unit, Tactical Response Team (TRT), K9 Unit, and Immigration Officials conducted a Rural Safety Operation around Ramatlabama, Miga and Jagersfontein farms on Thursday morning, 23 October 2025, to enforce the Stock theft Act, 1959 and the Immigration Act, 2002,” said Mokgwabone.
He said during the operation, two fines were issued for contravention of the Animal Identification Act, 2002. Mokgwabone said in addition, 11 illegal migrants aged between 22 and 55, were arrested.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, thanked all law enforcement officials for their collaborative efforts in the fight against crime during this period to safeguard communities.
The Guardian 