Picture: Some of the drugs seized by the police/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
29 December 2025- The police in North West and other law enforcement agencies have apprehended 1325 suspects for different crimes between 22 and 28 December 2025, during weekly high density Shanela 2 Safer Festive Season operations conducted across the province. The police said the suspects were arrested for different crimes, including murder, rape, assault with the intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and common, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, dealing in drugs, dealing in liquor, possession of drugs, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, among others.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said out of the 1325 arrested suspects, 344 were arrested by the Detectives as being on the circulated wanted suspects’ lists. Mokgwabone said the operations also addressed identified crime generators through Joint Law Enforcement compliance inspections to enforce the provisions of the Liquor and Second-Hand Goods Acts.
“As a result, 28 unlicensed liquor outlets were closed and large quantities of liquor were confiscated. In addition, the operations led to the confiscation of eight firearms, 84 rounds of ammunition, 17 cell phones, three vehicles, a variety of drugs, dangerous weapons, fireworks, and tobacco products.
“In Sun City, in the Bojanala Sub-District 2, five suspects aged between 25 and 37, were on 27 December 2025, arrested at different addresses in Ledig village, near Sun City, for possession of drugs. The suspects were arrested during an intelligence-driven multidisciplinary operation. During the arrests, the police confiscated drugs such as mandrax, rock, crystal meth, nyaope and khat, with an estimated street value of R10 500,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said in addition, the team confiscated R18 000 cash believed to be the proceeds of crime. He added that the suspects are expected to appear in the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court for possession of drugs.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, applauded all law enforcement agencies members for arresting the suspects as part of ensuring the wellbeing and safety of their communities during the Christmas holidays.
The Guardian 