By AGISANANG SCUFF
3 August 2025- As part of the ongoing commitment to creating a safer South Africa, the police in the Northern Cape conducted intensified, high-density operations from 28 July until 3 August 2025, under the banner of Operation Shanela II. The police said these weekly operations focused on priority crimes across the province and aimed to assert the authority of the state.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said in line with Women’s Month and to honour the role of women in law enforcement, Operation Basadi was officially launched on 1 August 2025. Shemane said it forms part of the broader Operation Shanela framework and emphasizes the importance of female officers in frontline policing.
“The multi-disciplinary teams carried out a wide range of intelligence-driven and disruptive policing activities, including, high-visibility blue-light patrols, stop-and-search operations, roadblocks and vehicle checkpoints.
“Detective teams traced and arrested wanted suspects who had been evading the law. During these operations a total of
12 315 individuals and 6 803 vehicles were stopped and searched,” he said.
According to Shemane, 341 suspects were arrested for various offences, including murder, assault with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), drug dealing, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, illegal immigration, house-breaking and illicit mining. He further said several non-compliant liquor premises were also closed down.
“The police in collaboration with external stakeholders, conducted compliance inspections at various premises including, formal and informal businesses, scrapyards, liquor outlets, second-hand goods dealers, mines and farms.
“Numerous items were confiscated during the operations, such as a significant amount of alcohol, cash, counterfeit goods, dangerous weapons, illicit tobacco products, a firearm and drugs,” added Shemane.
He said furthermore, awareness campaigns were hosted in Kimberley by the Provincial Corporate Communication and Liaison in partnership with the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS). Shemane said these initiatives focused on educating the public on human trafficking, extortion and Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the collaborative efforts between the police, community members and stakeholders. Otola expressed her appreciation for their continued support in prioritising community safety and upholding the law.
The Guardian 