Tag Archives: vehicle checkpoints

1964 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela 2

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By STAFF REPORTER

29 September 2026 – The police in North West arrested 1964 suspects during a two-week Operation Shanela 2 crime-fighting operation conducted across the province. The multidisciplinary operation ran from 14 to 26 September 2026, and included stop-and-search operations, roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, high-visibility patrols at crime hotspots and suspect raids.

The North West police spokesperson, Captain Majang Skalkie said the operation demonstrated the commitment of law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to combating crime across the province. Skalkie said The Operation Shanela 2 continues to intensify the fight against crime through multidisciplinary and coordinated operations across the province.

Skalkie further said the police inspected 284 liquor outlets during the operation, resulting in 13 unlicensed liquor premises being closed. She added a total of 898 premises, 3687 people and 1374 vehicles were also searched.

“Detectives arrested 669 suspects during suspect-raiding operations, while others were arrested for a range of serious and other offences. Among the arrests were 13 suspects for murder, nine for rape, three for attempted murder, 22 for aggravated robbery, 13 for business robbery and two for house robbery.

“The police also arrested 194 suspects for assault with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), 129 for common assault, 39 for business burglary and 33 for residential burglary. A further 181 suspects were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, 56 for malicious damage to property and 154 undocumented migrants for contravening the Immigration Act,” she said.

Skalkie said the operation also resulted in arrests for illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives, as well as drug-related offences and illegal liquor and cigarette dealing.

 The police confiscated various drugs, tobacco products and liquor, together with five handguns, two rifles and seven vehicles.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Arthur Adams, welcomed the results and commended the multidisciplinary teams and other crime-fighting stakeholders involved in the operation. Adams said the police would continue conducting coordinated operations to disrupt criminal activities and apprehend suspects across the province.

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Operation Shanela II nets 396 arrests across Northern Cape

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Picture: Some of drugs confiscated during arrests/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

28 September 2026 – The police in Northern Cape have arrested 396 suspects during Operation Shanela II operations conducted across the Northern Cape’s five districts from 21 to 27 September 2026. The operation targeted criminal activities through high-density and disruptive actions, including stop-and-searches, high-visibility patrols, vehicle checkpoints, roadblocks and tracing operations.

Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said the operation was conducted in collaboration with community structures, government departments and other law enforcement agencies. Ehlers said during the operations, 283 suspects were arrested for various offences, while 6 661 people and 3 424 vehicles were searched.

“Detectives also intensified tracing operations targeting wanted suspects and individuals who had failed to appear in court, resulting in a further 113 arrests.

“Compliance inspections were conducted at liquor outlets, second-hand goods dealers, scrapyards, recycling facilities, firearm dealerships and formal and informal businesses,” she said.

Ehlers further said unlicensed liquor outlets were closed for non-compliance and regulatory violations, while alcohol, drugs and dangerous weapons were confiscated. She added that those who were arrested face charges relating to serious and priority crimes, including drug-related offences, illegal liquor trading, property-related crimes, attempted murder and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

“The police also continued to strengthen community engagement and partnership policing through awareness campaigns and outreach activities. The Northern Cape SAPS remains steadfast in its commitment to disrupting criminal activities and creating safer communities in support of the SAPS Reset Agenda.

“The intelligence-driven operations, decisive enforcement and strong partnerships would continue to be used to combat crime and ensure that offenders are brought before the law,” said Ehlers.

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301 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela

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Picture: The police conducting stop and search during Operation Shanela/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

13 July 2025- The police in Northern Cape said weekly high-impact crime prevention initiative, Operation Shanela II, continues to make strides in enhancing public safety and restoring law and order across the province. They said the latest series of operations commenced on 7 until 13 July 2025.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said these coordinated, intelligence-driven, high-density deployments involved multi-disciplinary law enforcement teams, executing a range of disruptive policing activities. Shamane said key operational activities included high-visibility blue light patrols, stop-and-search actions, roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, and the tracing of wanted suspects by detectives.

 “A total of 3 903 vehicles and 8 535 individuals were stopped and searched during the course of the week. These efforts resulted in the arrest of 301 suspects for various offences, including contact crimes, property-related crimes, drug-related offences, other serious crimes, and crimes detected through proactive policing.

“Additionally, 13 unlicensed liquor outlets were closed. The police and partner stakeholders also conducted compliance inspections at formal and informal businesses, scrapyards, liquor outlets, second-hand goods dealers, mines, and farms to enforce adherence to relevant legislation,” he said.

Shemane further said during the operations, dangerous weapons,

alcohol, drugs, cash, copper cables, uncut diamonds and precious metals were confiscated. He added that in an effort to curb trending crimes, police together with community policing structures and government departments, continue to host awareness campaigns to educate and sensitise the public regarding the implementation of precautionary measures to ensure their safety.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the collaborative efforts of all law enforcement agencies involved and expressed gratitude to members of the community who provided valuable information that contributed to the success of the operation.

“This joint approach demonstrates our unwavering commitment to ensuring that the people of the Northern Cape feel and are safe,” said Otola.

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