Picture: A red Polo Vivo and firearms seized by police/Supplied
By AGISANANG SCUFF
28 January 2026 – The police said high density safer festive season Operation Shanela II continues to bear fruits as over 1000 suspects were arrested for various crimes in the North West. The police said in collaboration with other stakeholders, they have worked hard to ensure that members of the community in all five districts are and feel safe.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane said weekly actions and activities, which commenced on 19 until 25 January 2026, included Vehicle Check Points (VCPs), stop and searches, roadblocks, tracing of wanted suspects, foot and vehicle patrols and compliance inspections that were conducted across the province.
Tselanyane said the weekly operations saw 1083 suspects arrested for crimes ranging from, among others, dealing in drugs, illegal dealing in liquor, robbery, murder, rape, assault GBH, assault common, burglaries at residential and businesses premises, theft off/out of motor vehicle, malicious damage to property, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and illegal migrants.
“Furthermore, the dedication and commitment of the detectives to bring those who thought they can evade the long arm of the law, resulted in the tracing and arrest of 268 wanted suspects for serious crimes including murder, rape, assault GBH and illegal possession of firearms.
“In a notable incident, police received information about suspects, who are in possession of unlicensed firearms, suspected to be involved in a spree of robberies, reported in Delareyville. The information was operationalised and on 23 January 2026, at around 10pm, the Provincial Tracing Task Team, Lichtenburg K9 as well as Mahikeng Crime Intelligence, pounced on them, when the vehicle they were traveling in had a puncture on the road between Delareyville and Vrisgewaagte,” he said.
Tselanyane further said four accused, Kegomoditswe Samuel Mooketsi (28), Mangaliso Godfrey Tubatsi (31), Falakhe James Khumalo (30) and Letlhogonolo Christopher Mosala (34), were immediately arrested and charged with possession of unlicensed firearms after a search of their vehicle, a red Volkswagen Polo, led to the discovery of four firearms (all pistols) with serial numbers filed off as well as 22 rounds of ammunition.
He added that they all appeared before the Delareyville Magistrate’s Court on 26 January 2026 and were remanded in custody until 10 February 2026, for a formal bail application.
“Investigation into the matter continues and linking the accused to other cases is imminent,” said Tselanyane.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, applauded the police for their ongoing dedication and professionalism displayed during the Safer Festive Season Shanela 2 operations. Naidoo emphasised that police in the province will continue to pursue criminals relentlessly and ensure that justice is served.
The Guardian 