By AGISANANG SCUFF
23 September 2025- As part of stamping the authority of the state, the weekly High Density Operation Shanela conducted between 15 and 21 September 2025, resulted in the arrest of 1038 suspects for different transgressions across the North West province. The operation, among others, focused on stop and searches, roadblocks, vehicle check points (VCPs), high-visibility patrols including foot patrols, the tracing of wanted suspects as well as visits to liquor outlets, taverns, and second-hand goods premises.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said the suspects include 21 for murder, 10 for robbery, 43 for rape, 275 for assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH), 70 for common assault, 12 for burglary at business and residential premises and 19 for illegal possession of firearms. Myburgh said this includes 30 for driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, 76 for contravention of the Immigration Act, 24 for illegal dealing in liquor and 129 for possession of drugs.
“Out of the 1038 suspects, 489 were circulated wanted suspects and nabbed by the detectives after being linked to the committed crimes through forensic DNA and other leads.
“Furthermore, police confiscated 18 firearms, 82 fireworks, three vehicles, 99 rounds of ammunition, three cellular phones, tablets, laptops, liquor and a variety of drugs and tobacco products,” she said.
Myburgh further said in Lomanyaneng village, a security guard at a school was overpowered by three men, wearing balaclavas in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday, 17 September 2025. She added that the men allegedly pointed the victim with a firearm and tied him before gaining entry into the staff room, where they stole tablets and laptops.
“The security guard was only rescued the next morning by cleaners, while reporting for duty. Acting on a tip-off, the police proceeded to a house in Lomanyaneng on 18 September 2025, and arrested the accused, Mogomotsi Bennet Sebolaneng (37), and recovered three laptops, 15 tablets and a gas pistol, believed to have been used during the commission of the crime.
“Sebolaneng appeared before the Molopo Magistrate’s Court on 22 September 2025, on a charge of business robbery. He abandoned his bail application after it was established that he was out on bail for a similar offence and was remanded in custody until 30 October 2025,” said Myburgh.
She said in another separate incident, an intelligence driven operation conducted at Freedom Park, Phase 1, Phokeng on Thursday night, 18 September 2025, by Rustenburg Public Order Police (POP), led to the search, arrest of two men and recovered two firearms, ammunition, explosives as well as dye-stained money. Myburgh said Itu Monjane (33) and Nelson Lahlewe Huahwa (34), appeared before the Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court on 22 September 2025, on charges of possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition, explosives and dye-stained money.
“The pair was remanded in custody and will apply for bail at their next court appearance. Ongoing investigations by the Murder and Robbery Unit in Nietverdiend concerning the Masebudula incident, led to the recovery of a R1 and R5 Rifle with 25 rounds of ammunition on 20 September 2025. Investigations are continuing.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Dintletse Molefe, thanked all police officers and other role players for their continuous efforts to confiscate illegal firearms, which are used to commit violent and serious crimes.
The Guardian 