Tag Archives: possession of drugs

869 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela II

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Picture: Suspected illegal firearm confiscated/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

24 February 2026 – The acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo reiterated that the police across the province will continue to squeeze the space for criminals in response to serious and violent crimes through Operation Shanela 2, which focuses on enhanced crime prevention and combatting criminal activities. Naidoo said consequent to operations conducted between 16 and 22 February 2026, a total of 869 suspects were arrested for various crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder, assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and common assault, dealing in drugs, illegal dealing in liquor, possession of drugs, burglary at business and residential premises, to driving under the influence of alcohol.

He further said 59 suspected undocumented persons were taken in for processing by Immigration Officials. Naidoo added that during the operations, 491 premises, 10 839 persons and 5 916 vehicles were searched.

“Moreover, the police working together with other law enforcement agencies confiscated alcohol, ammunition, cash, cellular phones, contraband goods, a variety of drugs, nine dangerous weapons, four handguns, four rifles, a shotgun, 13kg of copper cables, 12 kg of precious metals, tobacco products, vehicles and electrical equipment.

“On Monday night, 16 February 2026, information received was operationalised and a search warrant was executed at a residence in Arendskloof, Safari Tuine in Rustenburg. Two unlicensed firearms were found with numerous rounds of ammunition that the resident could not account for,” he said.

Naidoo said the accused, Barend Johannes De Lange (32) was immediately arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, as well as the negligent handling of a firearm. He said De Lange briefly appeared before the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 18 February 2026, and was granted bail of R2 000.

“His case was postponed to 14 May 2026. In a second unrelated incident reported on Wednesday morning, 18 February 2026, information received led police to Vreesgewaagde Village, near Delareyville.

“The accused, Ezekiel Mosikimang Mongwegi (46) was arrested after a 9mm pistol with its serial number filed off, as well as ammunition, was found in his possession. He briefly appeared before the Delareyville Magistrate’s Court on 20 February 2026, for possession of a firearm and ammunition without a licence. His case was remanded in custody until 10 March 2026,” said Naidoo.

He said in a third unrelated incident reported in Bloemhof on Wednesday morning, 18 February 2026, a tuck shop was robbed in Boitumelong. Naidoo said an accused, Goitsemodimo Kenny Pitso (20) allegedly entered the tuck shop, pointed a firearm at the owner (32) and fired one shot in his direction.

“He then fled the scene without taking anything, no injuries were sustained. The community members who heard the gunshot immediately reported the incident to police, who responded swiftly. Members of Public Order Policing (POP), with the assistance of community members, traced Pitso to a nearby house where he was hiding.

“He was arrested and a 9mm firearm believed to have been used in the commission of the crime was found and confiscated. Further investigation revealed that the firearm, which belonged to a family member of Pitso, had been stolen by him. The owner of the firearm is also under investigation for the negligent handling of a firearm,” he said.

Naidoo said Pitso appeared before the Bloemhof Magistrate’s Court on charges of attempted business robbery, attempted murder and theft of a firearm on Friday, 20 February 2026. He said the case was remanded in custody until 11 March 2026.

“We welcome the results achieved. The police will remain resolute in their mission to decisively deal with serious and violent crime in the North West Province. Operation Shanela 2 demonstrates the police’s commitment to proactive policing, high-visibility operations and coordinated law enforcement efforts.

“We encouraged all law enforcement agencies to continue working tirelessly towards building safer communities and urged members of the public to cooperate with police by reporting criminal activities,” said Naidoo.

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1325 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela II

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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.

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392 suspects nabbed for various offences

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Picture: The police seized homemade beer/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

23 November 2025- More than 392 suspects were arrested for various crimes, including dealing in drugs, illegal dealing in liquor, possession of drugs, murder, rape, assault, burglary and of wanted suspects, who were evading arrest. Operation Shanela 2 actions are gaining momentum in the province as operations are targeted and intelligence driven.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said in addition to the Shanela 2 high density operations, Operation Basadi actions were also conducted under the operational command of the three female District Commissioners of Pixely Ka-Seme, Frances Baard and ZFM Districts respectively. Shemane said female Provincial Heads also took the lead during operations across the province.

“The weekly high density operations were executed since 17 until 23 November 2025. Targeted operations were conducted in collaboration with multi-disciplinary law enforcement teams in all five districts. Disruptive actions led to the stopping of 15 576 motor vehicles and searches of 27 516 persons during numerous roadblocks and vehicle check points (VCPs) conducted.

“Detectives traced and arrested wanted suspects evading court appearances and for whom warrants of arrests were issued. Drugs, dangerous weapons and cash believed to be the proceeds of crime, ammunition, cell phones, computers, drugs, firearm, tobacco products, vehicle parts and accessories and other commodities were confiscated during the operations,” he said.

Shemane further said compliance inspections were conducted at farms, mines, formal and informal businesses, liquor outlets, and second-hand goods dealers.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, applauded the multi-disciplinary teams across five districts for their decisive crime combatting efforts in ensuring our communities feel safe and are safe during and beyond the festive season period. Otola cited that no person will be left behind, including the communities, who are the eyes and ears of the police.

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871 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela

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Picture: Some of dagga seized by the police/Supplied

By AGISANANG SCUFF

9 July 2025 – The police in North West, working together with other law enforcement agencies, said they will continue to put suspects behind bars through Operation Shanela. This comes after suspects were apprehended between 30 June and 6 July 2025, for various crimes.

The police said the suspects were arrested for robbery aggravating, murder, attempted murder, assault common and with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, dealing in drugs, illegal dealing in liquor, possession of drugs, burglary on business and residential premises and many others.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said additionally, 30 suspected undocumented persons were taken in for processing by Immigration Officials. Myburgh said out of 871 suspects, 319 suspects were wanted and nabbed during detectives’ suspect raiding operations.

“The police were able to shut down 20 unlicensed taverns/liquor stores and arrested 41 suspects for driving under the influence of liquor.  The fight against Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) continues to be a primary objective of the police, whereby 27 suspects were arrested for rape, 52 for possession of dangerous weapons and 218 for assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm and common assault around the province.

“In the province, a total of 96 arrests were made for possession of drugs. At Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke on Friday evening, 4 July 2025, information received led police to a house in Extension 5, where a man (37) was arrested after nearly 2kg of dagga was found in his possession,” she said.  

Myburgh further said the dagga and cash were seized by police. She added that, the suspect appeared before the Schweizer Reneke Magistrate’s Court on 8 July 2025, on a charge of dealing in dagga.

“As part of the actions executed during the operations, 330 premises, 2884 persons and 948 vehicles were searched. The operation also led to the confiscation of alcohol, ten firearms, 144 rounds of ammunition, a variety of drugs and cash,” said Myburgh.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng said the weekly High Density Operations, which are coordinated, conducted and commanded by District Commissioners and Senior Officers in the province, are gradually decreasing the high levels of crime particularly in the Province’s High Contact Crimes and Priority Crimes Police Stations with a few of the North West Police Stations now featuring on the National Top 30 high crime volumes Stations.

Asaneng said these targeted, intelligence led operations in identified hotspots are intended to address the proliferation of drugs, dangerous weapons, illegal firearms and liquor related crime.

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Seven suspects nabbed for various crimes during Operation Shanela

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Picture: The police conducting patrol and search during Operation Shanela/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

31 March 2025- Seven suspects were arrested for various crimes during Operation Shanela. The suspects were arrested for drunk and driving, possession of drugs, riotous behaviour, shoplifting, and contravention of immigration laws after they were found to be illegally in the country.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Merapelo Pilane said the police further discovered an unregistered Day Care Centre operating without the required documentation in a Kuruman residential area, and the local Department of Social Development personnel were contacted for further handling. Pilane said the senior officers led a deployment of police members in executing high density operations in the Kuruman and Bothithong policing prescient, supported by the Community Police Forum (CPF) and Community in Blue Patrollers.

“The police actions focused on combating aggravated and business robberies, burglary at residential premises, preventing stolen property in transit, combating drugs and human trafficking, as well as stock theft.

“The multi-disciplinary operations were executed by members from the affected stations, SAPS K9 unit, Flying Squad, members from the Provincial Proactive Policing, Provincial Corporate Communication and the Vehicle Safeguarding Section (VSS),” he said.

Pilane said the disruptive actions commenced on 28 March 2025, and concluded on 29 March 2025, with stop and searches, foot patrols, blue light patrols, compliance inspections and drugs searches were the order of the day. He said the police conducted roadblocks on the N14 road during which 392 vehicles were stopped and searched. 

“Fines amounting to R38 500, were issued for various road traffic violations. During compliance inspections at tuckshops and taverns operating in Kuruman and Bothithong were also visited. One tavern was closed down and a fine was issued for non-compliance,” said Pilane.

Meanwhile, the acting John Taolo Gaetsewe District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Kenneth Baloyi, appreciated all role players and law enforcement agencies, who were involved in the crime blitz for the collaboration in terms of combating and preventing crime during the operations. Baloyi said these actions reaffirmed that police will continue to stamp down the authority of the state in the district, especially as they are approaching the Easter holidays and beyond.

“Members of the public are encouraged to report any criminal activities via the MYSAPS App or the 08600 10111crime stop number,” he said.

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More than 1000 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela

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Picture: Police conducting stop and search during Operation Shanela/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

18 March 2025 – More than 1227 suspects were arrested for various crimes during Operation Shanela. The suspects were amongst others, arrested for rape, murder, assault GBH, malicious damage to property, burglary at residential and business premises, possession of drugs, theft out of/from motor vehicle and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said of the 1227 arrested suspects, 424 were wanted for contact crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and common, as well as house and business robberies. Mokgwabone said they were held during detectives’ suspect raiding operations.  

“Furthermore, a total of 28 suspected undocumented persons were taken in for processing by Immigration Officials. The arrests were effected through execution of several actions, which included stop and searches, roadblocks, patrols, vehicle check points, visiting and inspecting of licensed liquor premises, Second-hand goods dealers, tracing of wanted suspects and many others. 

“In Ikageng Township, near Potchefstroom on 14 March 2025, a fine of R1000 was imposed on a man (33), after he was found transporting liquor without a delivery note. Moreover, a joint roadblock on the R509 (Potchefstroom/Carletonville) road, resulted in the issuing of fines worth R6200 to eight motorists for road traffic related offences,” he said.

Mokgwabone further said items such as 95 ammunition, three firearms, three vehicles and a variety of drugs, were confiscated during the operations. He added that Operation Shanela will continue to bring more perpetrators to book as part of ensuring that the communities are and feel safe.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, congratulated the police and other stakeholders for their continuous support in fighting crime in the province to ensure the safety and security of the inhabitants.

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More than 228 suspects nabbed for various crimes

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Picture: Some of suspects arrested by the police during raid/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

20 January 2025- The police in the Northern Cape have stamped the authority of the state as learners returned back to school throughout the province. The disruptive actions across all five districts in the province secured the arrest of 228 suspects for serious crimes including dealing in drugs, possession of a dangerous weapon, possession of drugs, attempted murder, business robbery, murder, rape and assault GBH.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said this includes the arrest of five wanted suspects, who were traced by detectives and successfully apprehended. Ehlers said collaboration between the police and other government departments to address priority crimes, resulted in these arrests and confiscation of drugs such as dagga, Tik and mandrax as well the seizure of alcohol, dangerous weapons and money believed to be the proceeds of crime.

“A total of 5687 persons and 2777 vehicles were stopped and searched at roadblocks, vehicle check points, high visibility patrols and stop and search actions. Compliance inspections were conducted at liquor outlets, second-hand goods dealers, scrapyards, and recyclers.

“More than 17 unlicensed liquor outlets were closed during these inspections. In an effort to promote rural safety, several farms and mines were visited. The police, in partnership with other government departments and Community Police Structures (CPS), embarked on numerous back to school awareness campaigns in all five districts to promote school safety and address significant issues such as bullying, dangerous weapons and drug abuse,” she said.

Ehlers further said the engagements at schools will continue. She added that communities are encouraged to assist the police, share valuable information and to continue aiding the police by reporting incidents via the MySAPS app or 08600 10111.

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More than 1000 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela

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By REGINALD KANYANE

4 November 2024 – More than 1000 suspects were nabbed during Operation Shanela between 28 October 3 November 2024.  The suspects who include 42 suspected undocumented persons, were arrested for various crimes ranging from rape, murder, attempted murder, assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and common.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said this includes dealing in drugs, illegal dealing in liquor, possession of drugs, burglary at business and residential premises to driving under the influence of alcohol. 

“Of the 1 487 arrests, 462 were apprehended as circulated and wanted during detectives’ suspect raiding operations. As part of the operations, 150 premises, 2864 persons and 1 308 vehicles were searched.

“Moreover, the operations led to the confiscation of alcohol, six firearms, 75 ammunition, 11 cellular phones, 21,6kg of copper, six vehicles and a variety of drugs and tobacco products,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North west Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, indicated that police will continue working together with other law enforcement agencies across the province, to ensure that perpetrators are brought to book. Kwena said they welcome the successes and motivated all law enforcement officers and role players to continue with their efforts in a bid to ensure that members of the community are and feel safe.

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1168 suspects nabbed for various crimes during Operation Shanela

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

28 October 2024-More than 1168 suspects were arrested for various crimes during Operation Shanela. The suspects were arrested for murder, attempted murder, assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and common, dealing in drugs, illegal dealing in liquor, possession of drugs, burglaries at business and residential premises to driving under the influence of alcohol.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said of the total arrests, 513 were effected during Detectives’ suspect raiding operations. Mokgwabone said in addition, 50 suspected undocumented persons were taken in for processing by Immigration Officials.

“During the operations, 94 premises, 2 424 persons and 817 vehicles were searched. Moreover, goods such as alcohol, 55 ammunition, 11 cellular phones, tobacco products (543 packets) , a variety of drugs, counterfeit goods and precious metals were confiscated. 

“A total of 29 illegal liquor outlets / shebeens were shut down. In its pursuit to prevent and combat crime in the province, the high density Operation Shanela remains steadfast in ensuring that those who disrespect the rule of law are arrested,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed successes achieved and reiterated that law enforcement agencies will continue to address the heightened risk of criminality due to increased movement of people in accordance with the phased approach of the Safer Festive Season 2024/2025 Operations.

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More than 1000 suspects nabbed for various crimes during Operation Shanela

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By REGINALD KANYANE

14 October 2024– More than 1000 suspects across North West, were arrested for various offences during Operation Shanela. The police in the province in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies arrested 1 258 suspects between 7 and 13 October 2024.

 The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the suspects were among others, arrested for murder, rape, attempted murder, assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and common. Mokgwabone said this includes dealing in drugs, illegal dealing in liquor, possession of drugs, burglaries at business and residential premises and driving under the influence of alcohol.

“In addition, 81 suspected undocumented persons were taken in for processing by Immigration Officials. Of the 1 258 arrests, 421 were for wanted and circulated suspects brought to book during detectives’ suspect raiding operations.

“The operations also led to searching of 262 premises, 2 490 persons and 835 vehicles. Moreover, 385 licensed liquor premises and second-hand goods dealers were visited for compliance inspections,” he said.

Mokgwabone said the operation further resulted in the confiscation of liquor, 120 explosives (fireworks), 10 ammunition, five cell phones, 13 dangerous weapons, a variety of drugs and three vehicles.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, commended the police and other law enforcement officials for their relentless efforts to ensure the safety and security of the communities.  

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