Picture: The police conducting stop and search/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
26 October 2026 – The police in the Northern Cape continue to intensify crime prevention and law enforcement operations through sustained Operation Shanela II interventions, as part of the broader 2026/2027 Safer Festive Season Operations aimed at ensuring safer communities throughout the festive season. High-density, intelligence-driven operations were conducted across all five districts of the Northern Cape From 19 until 25 October 2026.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said operations focused on disrupting criminal activities, apprehending wanted suspects, combating drug-related offences, addressing Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), preventing crime and enhancing police visibility across communities. Ehlers said during the week-long operations, 264 suspects were arrested for various offences, while detectives also intensified focused tracing operations, resulting in the arrest of 220 wanted suspects who were sought in connection with alleged criminal activities.
“The arrests emanated from a range of serious offences, including drug- and alcohol-related crimes, property-related offences, attempted murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and other criminal offences.
“The operations incorporated stop-and-searches, roadblocks, high-density patrols, vehicle control points and tracing operations, reinforcing the SAPS intelligence-driven approach to crime prevention and law enforcement,” she said.
Ehlers further said as part of the Safer Festive Season Operations, police also conducted compliance inspections at licensed liquor outlets, second-hand goods dealers, formal and informal businesses, public and private institutions, farms, scrapyards and mines. She added that these inspections were aimed at ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, disrupting illicit activities and identifying establishments or activities that may contribute to or facilitate criminality.
“Several unlicensed liquor outlets were closed for contravening applicable regulations. The police also confiscated alcoholic beverages, dangerous weapons, drugs and other items suspected to be linked to criminal activities, further disrupting activities that pose a threat to the safety and security of communities,” said Ehlers.
Meanwhile, the acting Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga commended the police and participating law enforcement stakeholders for their continued commitment, dedication and operational readiness. Ngubelanga appealed to community members to remain vigilant and to continue sharing information regarding criminal activities with the police.
“The 2026/2027 Safer Festive Season Operations are aimed at creating a safe and secure environment for communities, travellers, businesses and visitors during the festive season. These operations will focus on preventing and combating crime, disrupting criminal networks, addressing high-risk and priority crimes, enhancing police visibility, tracing wanted suspects and enforcing compliance with the law.
“Operation Shanela II will continue to form an integral part of these interventions, with operations being intensified at identified crime hotspots and other strategic areas across the province. The sustained operations further reaffirm the commitment of the SAPS to the SAPS Reset Agenda, which places renewed emphasis on restoring discipline, professionalism, integrity, accountability and service excellence within the organisation,” he said.
Ngubelanga said the police together with its law enforcement and community partners, remains steadfast in its commitment to creating safer communities. He said Safer Festive Season Operations will continue unabated as police work towards ensuring that the people of the Northern Cape are safe and feel safe in their homes, on the roads, in public spaces and at places of entertainment throughout the festive season.
