By AGISANANG SCUFF
20 November 2025- More than 900 suspects were arrested for various crimes during the weekly Joint Law Enforcement high density Operation Shanela 2 operations between 10 and 16 November 2025, across all five districts. The police said the arrests are building a strong foundation for the Safer Festive Season Operations to address the heightened risk of criminality associated with increased movement of people and elevated social activity.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said out of 994 arrested suspects, it is worth noting that 366 were arrested by the Detectives as those on the circulated wanted suspects’ lists. Myburgh said the operations resulted in the arrest 15 illegal immigrants.
“The operations also addressed identified crime generators through compliance inspections to enforce the provisions of the Liquor and Second-Hand Goods Acts.
“As a result, 151 licensed liquor outlets were inspected, and 56 arrests were executed for the illegal dealing in liquor while large quantities of liquor were confiscated,” she said.
Myburgh further said the operations led to the confiscation of a variety of drugs, firearms, ammunition, vehicles, precious metals and tobacco products. She added that in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit, Provincial Proactive Drug Operations, Ventersdorp Crime Prevention and Community Police Forum (CPF) members executed search and seizure warrants at Boikhutsong village, Goedgevonden village and Tshing location, Ventersdorp on 14 November 2025.
“Silengene Tokwana (35) and Molefi Elliot Sakhachane (35) were arrested for dealing in drugs and possession of suspected illegal substances, respectively.
“The police seized dagga and crystal meth, all with estimated street value of R32 000.00. The duo appeared before the Ventersdorp Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 17 November 2025,” said Myburgh.
She said they were both remanded in custody until 20 and 24 November 2025, respectively. Myburgh said the multidisciplinary Inter-Provincial roadblock was conducted on 14 November 2025, on the N12 road between Potchefstroom and Fochville culminated in the arrest of five individuals for contravening Section 49 (1)(a) of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002).
“Two other suspects were for nabbed drug related offences and subsequent confiscation of approximately 8kg of dagga. Furthermore, nine road traffic fines were issued to motorists.
“In Bojanala Sub-District 2, Rustenburg police were on 15 November 2025, called to a local hospital, where a deceased person was found with multiple stab wounds on his upper body,” she said.
Myburgh said initial investigations indicated that the deceased, Dumile Patrick Mthunzana (45), was fatally stabbed during an argument. She said the police tracked down and arrested the suspect shortly after the incident.
“Phathilizwe Malongwane (46) appeared before the Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court on 18 November 2025, on a charge of murder. Malongwane was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on 27 November 2025,” said Myburgh.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, applauded all role players for working together in achieving these successes as part of ensuring the well-being and safety of the people of North West.
The Guardian 