Tag Archives: stop-and-search operations

678 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela II

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Picture: Police conducting a search in one of the shops/Supplied

By STAFF REPORTER

14 June 2026 – The concerted efforts by the police to assert the authority of the state across the five districts of the Northern Cape during Operation Shanela II High Density Operations, conducted from 8 until 14 June 2026, resulted in the arrest of 678 suspects for various offences. During the intelligence-driven and the multi-disciplinary disruptive operations, the police executed vehicle control points (VCPs), stop-and-search operations, roadblocks, tracing operations for wanted suspects, foot and vehicle patrols, visibility patrols at taxi ranks, malls and shopping complexes, compliance inspections, and visits to farms and mines.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane said at VCPs and roadblocks conducted throughout the province, the police stopped and searched 8003 vehicles and searched 16 785 persons. Shemane said compliance inspections were conducted at second-hand goods dealers, liquor outlets, scrapyards, formal and informal businesses, as well as farms and mines.

“Twelve unlicensed liquor premises were closed for non-compliance. The police also confiscated alcoholic beverages, cash believed to be the proceeds of crime, cell phones, copper cables, dangerous weapons and drugs during the operations.

“In collaboration with community policing structures, awareness campaigns were conducted with specific focus on the observation of Youth Month,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, applauded the multi-disciplinary law enforcement teams for their professionalism and unwavering commitment during the execution of the operations. Otola also expressed her appreciation to community structures and members of the public for their continued support in assisting the police in the fight against crime.

“We encourage the communities to participate in the “Rate Our Service” online survey to assist the South African Police Service (SAPS) in improving service delivery.

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567 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela II

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Picture: Suspects arrested during Operation Shanela II/Supplied  

By OBAKENG MAJE

20 April 2026 – The police operations conducted across the five districts of the Northern Cape during the Safer Easter Operation Paseka, which ran concurrently with Operation Shanela II from 13 to 19 April 2026, resulted in the arrest of 567 suspects. The arrests relate to contact crimes, property-related offences and police-initiated actions during intensified high-density operations.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane said a range of crime prevention activities, including Vehicle Check Points (VCPs), stop-and-search operations, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, and tracing operations, were executed by multi-disciplinary teams within the security cluster. Shemane said as a result of these operations, 2989 vehicles and 6687 individuals were stopped and searched at VCPs and roadblocks conducted throughout the province.

“Compliance inspections were carried out at second-hand goods dealers, firearm dealers, liquor outlets, formal and informal businesses, mines, and farms. During these inspections several unlicensed liquor outlets were shut down due to non-compliance.

“The police also heightened visibility through patrols at truck stops, fuel stations, identified hotspot areas, shopping complexes, and malls. Detectives successfully traced and arrested numerous wanted suspects who had been evading arrest across the province,” he said.

Shemane further said significant quantities of alcohol, drugs, dangerous weapons, ammunition, cash, cellphones, copper cables, furniture, and jewellery were confiscated during disruptive operations in identified crime hotspots. He added that community engagement initiatives were also undertaken to create awareness.

“A community imbizo was held at Sunrise in De Aar that was attended by the acting Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Thabo Mphuthi, alongside the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Policing, Major General Johnny Besnaar and the Pixley Ka Seme District Commissioner, Major General Nomana Mtukushe.

“Additionally, the “Sport Against Crime” initiative was officiated by Mtukushe to strengthen partnerships between the police and the community through sport. Operation Paseka concluded on 15 April 2026, however, operations under Operation Shanela II will continue unabated across the province,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mphuthi expressed appreciation to the Provincial Management, District Commissioners, Station Commanders, and all SAPS members for their dedication and tireless efforts during the Safer Easter period and Operation Shanela II in ensuring the safety of communities.

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