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More than 1250 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela II

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

25 November 2025 – The police in the North West have during the weekly integrated and multidisciplinary Shanela 2/Safer Festive Season Operations, asserted the authority of the state through the apprehension of 1250 suspects for different crimes ranging from burglaries at residential and non-residential premises, aggravated robberies, murders, rapes, dealing in and possession of drugs to driving under the influence of liquor. The police said the operations, led by commissioned officers, were conducted between 17 and 23 November 2025. 

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said out of the 1250 arrested suspects, 423 were arrested by Detectives as those on the circulated wanted suspects’ lists. In addressing identified crime generators through compliance inspections to enforce the provisions of the Liquor and Second-Hand Goods Acts, 35 unlicensed liquor outlets (shebeens) were closed and large quantities of liquor confiscated. 

Mokgwabone said furthermore, the operations led to the confiscation of seven vehicles, five firearms, 95 rounds of ammunition, two wheelbarrows and housebreaking implements, among others.

“In Rustenburg and Phokeng in the Bojanala Sub-District 2, the Provincial Proactive Drugs Operation, Anti-Gang Unit, Rustenburg Crime Intelligence and Tactical Response Team (TRT), as well as Bafokeng Protective Services, arrested 10 suspects for possession of suspected illegal substances during operations conducted between 18 and 21 November 2025.

“The suspects included two South Africans, three Tanzanians and five Nigerians. The team confiscated cash amounting to R25 500,00 believed to be the proceeds of a crime as well as drugs such as crystal meth, khat, mandrax, heroin and nyaope with estimated street value of R670 000,” he said.

Mokgwabone added that in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, three multidisciplinary Inter-Provincial roadblocks between North West and Northern Cape were conducted on the N18, N12 and N14 roads on 18 November 2025. He said following the operations, 1221 vehicles were stopped and 15 road traffic fines were issued to motorists.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, welcomed the successes and indicated that the police, in collaboration with other JOINTS role players will continue with the high-density operations to stabilise hotspots and ensure public safety.

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1241 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela 2

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Picture: Two suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

2 September 2025 – The police in the North West have during the weekly High Density Operation Shanela 2 operations, arrested 1241 suspects for a variety of crimes ranging from burglaries at residential and non-residential premises, aggravated robberies, murders, rapes, dealing in and possession of drugs, driving under the influence of liquor, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. The police said this includes illicit mining among others.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said operations were conducted between 25 and 31 August 2025, in all five districts. Mokgwabone said out of the 1241 arrested suspects, it is worth noting that 460 were arrested by the Detectives as those on the circulated wanted suspects’ lists and 20 illegal immigrants were arrested for being in the country in contravention of the Immigration Act.

“As part of the operations, the police 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, 13 unlicensed liquor outlets (shebeens) were closed, and large quantities of liquor were confiscated,” he said.

Mokgwabone further said in addition, the operations led to the confiscation of 25 cell phones, copper cables, seven firearms, 303 rounds of ammunition, precious metals and tobacco products. He added that in the Bojanala Platinum District, a disruptive illegal mining operation by Vala Umgodi team, Rustenburg based Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, at Bapong Illegal Mining Site, near R556, Mooinooi on 28 August 2025, led to the confiscation an abandoned excavator, two generators, four jack hammers, drill bits and electric cords, which are used for illegal mining.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, said that as the country and the province prepare for the start of the normally hectic festive season, the intensified South African Police Service led high density integrated Operation Shanela is relentlessly tracking, apprehending, and locking no less than 1000 wanted suspects every week.  Asaneng aid among the arrested suspects are the province’s circulated wanted, dangerous repeat offenders whose reign of terror has been nipped in the bud.

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More than 700 suspects nabbed for various crimes during Operation Shanela

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

2 April 2025- More than 761 suspects were arrested for various crimes during Operation Shanela. The suspects were arrested for variety of crimes ranging from burglaries at residential and non-residential premises, aggravated robberies, murders, rapes, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, illegal possession of explosives used mainly in the commission of illegal mining and Cash-in-Transit robberies, dealing in and possession of drugs and driving under the influence of liquor, among others.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the operations led by the District Commissioners, were conducted from 24 until 30 March 2025. Mokgwabone said out of the 761 arrested suspects, it is worth noting that 470 were arrested by the Detectives as those on the circulated wanted suspects’ lists.

“In addition, 18 illegal immigrants were arrested for being in the country in contravention of the Immigration Act, while others were apprehended for illegal mining in Klerksdorp and Hartbeespoortdam policing areas. As part of Operation Shanela, the police identified crime generators through Joint law enforcement compliance inspections to enforce the provisions of the Liquor and Second-Hand Goods Acts.

“Four unlicensed liquor outlets (shebeens) were closed and large quantities of liquor and items such as refrigerators were confiscated. In Sun City, a team comprising various police unit, arrested two suspects in Mogwase on 28 March 2025, where they were attending court as accused in a case of murder allegedly committed in September 2024,” he said.

Mokgwabone further said the pair was arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a man (32) in Ledig village near Sun City on 23 March 2025. He added that, during the arrest, police confiscated a red Toyota Corolla and a choking apparatus. 

“The duo, Zamile Zinzile (37) and Robert Kgakatsane (33), briefly appeared in the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court on 31 March 2025, for kidnapping. Meanwhile, the search for the kidnapping victim paid off when his body was found along the R566 road between Tlaseng and Tsitsing villages, outside Rustenburg. 

“Similarly, the team arrested the third suspect (34). He is expected to appear in court on 3 April 2025, together with the initial accused and they will all be facing charges of kidnapping and murder,” said Mokgwabone.

He said in Buhrmansdrift, members of Mahikeng Flying Squad were on routine patrol duties on 17 March 2025, when they stopped a suspicious blue Toyota Avanza on the R49 (Mahikeng/Zeerust) road for a search. Mokgwabone said the action led to the discovery of copper cables in the boot of the car.

“The suspects who indicated that they are both security officers, were arrested for possession of suspected stolen goods. Further investigation into the matter established that the cables were stolen from a transformer in Zeerust,” he said.

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