Operation Shanela makes progress

Operation Shanela continues to make an impact across the country, with police having arrested 12 892 suspects recently.

“Through Operation Shanela, SAPS [South African Police Service] continues to take a bold and decisive approach to dealing with crime in the country. These crime fighting activities include tracking operations, roadblocks, high visibility patrols, stop and searches, as well as tracing of wanted suspects,” SAPS said in a statement this week.

The arrests were made in the period 17 – 23 March 2025.

The police said 123 suspects were arrested for attempted murder; 167 suspects were arrested for murder (with the majority of these suspects, 45, arrested in KwaZulu-Natal and followed by the Western Cape with 42). The police also arrested 1 753 wanted suspects and 203 drug dealers.

A further 1 507 suspects were arrested for being in possession of drugs. The majority of these suspects (689) were arrested in the Western Cape. Furthermore, 115 suspects were arrested for being in possession of illegal firearms.

Additionally, 10 suspects were arrested for human trafficking, while 432 drivers were arrested for drunken driving.

One hundred and nineteen firearms and 1 335 rounds of ammunition were confiscated. The police also recovered 76 hijacked and stolen vehicles.

Curbing smuggling

Members of the Limpopo Anti-Smuggling team conducted a successful operation along the N11 road in Mahwelereng, which resulted in the arrest of 20 Ethiopian foreign nationals, who were allegedly smuggled into the country.

Police also arrested suspected drug mules at OR Tambo International Airport. A Brazilian man and South African woman arrived on the same flight from São Paulo, Brazil, and were intercepted by police. Police seized cocaine valued at over R1 million. Their arrest has now brought the total number of similar arrests at the airport to five since January 2025.

“Police will continue with their operations by asserting the authority of the State to ensure the safety and security of all South Africans and visitors to the country,” said the SAPS.