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1139 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela II

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Picture: A man arrested in connection of murder in Vryburg/Generic

By AGISANANG SCUFF

27 October 2025- With the aim of ensuring safety and security of all citizens, the North West police said operations conducted under the Safer Festive Season Operation Shanela II between 20 and 27 October 2025 across the province, resulted in the arrest of 1139 suspects. The police said through the execution of actions such as Vehicle Check Points (VCPs), stops and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections at second hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, and farms copper cables, explosives, tobacco products, liquor and a variety of drugs were seized.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said in addition, the operations led to the apprehension of 33 illegal migrants. Mokgwabone said 480 out of the 1139 arrests were for circulated wanted suspects, who were linked to the committed crimes through forensic DNA leads.

“The suspects, among others, included those arrested for rape and attempted rape, assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and common, burglary business and residential, murder and attempted murder, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, for possession of drugs and illegal dealing in liquor.

“In Bojanala Platinum Sub-District 2, members of K9 Unit followed up on information regarding an assault GBH suspect who was successfully traced and found in possession of unlicensed 9mm firearm at Boitekong Extension 2. He was immediately arrested,” he said.

Mokgwabone further said in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit in conjunction with Provincial Proactive Drug Operations Unit, Potchefstroom POP, Ventersdorp Visible Policing and Community In Blue patrollers, arrested five suspects aged between 30 and 40 in Ventersdorp for possession of illegal substances on 23 October 2025. He added that during the arrests, the police confiscated drugs such as crystal meth, khat and mandrax, all with an estimated street value of R21 000.

“In another arrest in the district, six suspects were on Friday evening, 24 October 2025, arrested in Jouberton Location for possession of explosives. The suspects were arrested after the District Economic and Infrastructure Task Team (EITT) members conducted a search at Extension 21, where they also found suspects in possession of material and equipment used for illegal mining. All arrested suspects are illegal migrants from Zimbabwe.

“In Ngaka Modri Molema, the Mahikeng SAPS in collaboration with the Community Police Forum (CPF), the National heliport, Ramatlabama Port of Entry, (Public Order Police (POP), Stock theft and Endangered Species (STES) Unit, Tactical Response Team (TRT), K9 Unit, and Immigration Officials conducted a Rural Safety Operation around Ramatlabama, Miga and Jagersfontein farms on Thursday morning, 23 October 2025, to enforce the Stock theft Act, 1959 and the Immigration Act, 2002,” said Mokgwabone.

He said during the operation, two fines were issued for contravention of the Animal Identification Act, 2002. Mokgwabone said in addition, 11 illegal migrants aged between 22 and 55, were arrested.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, thanked all law enforcement officials for their collaborative efforts in the fight against crime during this period to safeguard communities.

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1267 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela II

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Picture: Some of copper cables seized by the police/Supplied

By AGISANANG SCUFF

29 September 2025- Focusing on enhanced crime prevention and combating, the weekly Joint Law Enforcement operations under Operation Shanela II, conducted between 22 and 28 September 2025, across the province led to the apprehension of 1267 suspects. Through the execution of actions such as vehicle check points (VCPs), stops and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections at second-hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses and farms, 1777 copper cables, 82 fireworks, five explosive gels, five electric detonators, tobacco products, liquor and drugs such as dagga, cocaine, crystal meth, tik and mandrax were seized.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said moreover, the operations resulted in the apprehension of 76 illegal migrants. Mokgwabone said 456 out of the 1 267 arrests were for wanted suspects who were linked to the crimes committed through forensic DNA leads.

“The arrests, among others, included 25 suspects for rape and attempted rape, 289 for assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm and common, 26 for burglary, business and residential, 34 for murder and attempted murder, 48 for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, 29 for possession of drugs, and 31 for illegal dealing in liquor.

“In Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, four suspects aged between 31 and 51, are expected to appear in the Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court for possession of suspected stolen goods. The suspects were arrested in the early hours of Friday morning, 26 September 2025, by Stilfontein Visible Policing and Potchefstroom Flying Squad members on the N12 (Stilfontein/Potchefstroom) road,” he said.

Mokgwabone further said the police were on patrol when they noticed an overturned white Chana bakkie and went to investigate. He added that on arrival, they discovered copper cables hidden in the nearby bushes.

“The members also spotted a suspicious Ford Ranger vehicle in the vicinity. As they approached the vehicle, it sped off, leading to a chase. The vehicle stopped after a few kilometres due to an apparent breakdown. A search conducted led to the discovery of suspected stolen copper cables in the bakkie and all three suspects, along with the driver of the Chana bakkie, were apprehended after failing to account for the copper cables.

“The copper cables, which were identified as those of Telkom, are valued at R290 000. Still in the District, a security officer in Klerksdorp arrested a suspect on Monday, 22 September 2025, after being found in possession of a bundle of signal cables,” said Mokgwabone.

He said the suspect, who was also found in possession of an axe and a spade, was handed over to the police and is facing charges of tampering with and damage to essential infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Dintletse Molefe, welcomed the arrests, which she said will positively contribute towards the reduction of crime and ensuring general safety in the province as we approach a safer festive season.

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More than 800 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

28 January 2025- More than 800 suspects were arrested during the High Density Operation Shanela. The weekly multi-disciplinary operation which commenced on 20 until 26 January 2025, focused on the enhancement of crime reduction and combatting within the North West.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said the police actions executed during the operations include vehicle check points (VCPs), stops and searches. Myburgh said this includes foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections at second hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, farms and mines.

“The prevention of drugs and other commodities smuggling were also prioritized. During the VCPs and roadblocks conducted across the province, a total of 1052 vehicles and 3174 persons were stopped and searched.

“As a result of these operations, among others, 104 suspects were arrested for assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH), 17 for murder and attempted murder, 11 for rape, 85 for contravention of the Immigration Act, 32 for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, 36 for possession of drugs and 14 for illegal dealing in liquor,” she said.

Myburgh further said in the concerted efforts to eradicate the proliferation of firearms, seven firearms that included five handguns and two rifles were confiscated and five persons were arrested for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. She added that a variety of drugs, nine cellular phones and tobacco products were also seized by police.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, expressed his gratitude to all law enforcement agencies for their endeavours in ensuring that crime is prevented throughout the province.

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