Over 17 00 suspects have been arrested across the country, with 79 unlicensed firearms confiscated from 13 to 19 October 2025.
“These crime-fighting initiatives and successes are attributed to intelligence-led takedowns, high-visibility patrols and strategic interventions across multiple provinces,” the police said on Monday.
The police's Operation Shanela has also secured the
arrest of 2 124 most wanted suspects linked to heinous crimes, including murder, rape, car hijackings and armed robberies.Key arrests:
- 117 suspects were arrested for murder. KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest arrests (40), followed by Gauteng (27).
- 125 attempted murder suspects were arrested across the country.
- 233 suspects were arrested for rape, with the majority of arrests in KwaZulu-Natal with 119.
- 322 suspects arrested for dealing in drugs, with 62 in the Western Cape, 59 in KwaZulu-Natal, 58 in Gauteng, and 50 in the Northern Cape.
- 1 615 suspects were arrested for possession of drugs, with the majority of arrests in KwaZulu-Natal (418), followed by Gauteng (308), Western Cape (291) and the Eastern Cape (195).
- 141 suspects were arrested for illegal possession of unlicensed firearms.
- Police also arrested 760 suspects for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (198 in Mpumalanga, 135 in Gauteng and 132 in KwaZulu-Natal).
Major seizures and recoveries
- 1 275 ammunition were seized during this period.
- 25 169 litres of alcohol were seized, including 9,827 litres in Northern Cape alone.
- Contraband worth more than R7.2 million was confiscated, crippling illicit trade networks.
- 74 stolen vehicles were recovered, ranging from sedans to trucks and motorcycles
Highlights of takedowns
Gauteng: Police arrested a suspected illegal miner for possession of two AK-47 rifles and ammunition during a disruptive operation conducted in Magaliesburg, West Rand District on15 October 2025. The team also seized 15 tons of gold bearing material.
The Gauteng Counterfeit Unit, in collaboration with brand protectors, confiscated 58 240 counterfeit and illicit items, including cellphone accessories, toys, consumables, clothing and illicit pharmaceutical products worth R8 367 200.
Limpopo: On 14 October 2025, a 30-year-old suspect linked to a series of business robberies, committed in various parts of Mopani District, was arrested. Several appliances were also recovered.
Two suspects were arrested, and two firearms and ammunition were seized during a shootout with police in Bolobedu, Tzaneen.
Western Cape: Anti-Gang Unit members executed a search and seizure warrant in Langebaan and discovered five rifles, two shotguns, two pistols, one .38 special revolver and a .22 revolver. They arrested an Algerian foreign national, who was linked to the local gang in Kengsington on the scene on 17 October 2025.
Free Sate: On 16 October 2025, police intercepted a suspicious vehicle on the N1 with three occupants and discovered 248 bottles (100ml) of Bronlceer cough syrup medicine inside the vehicle. All three suspects were arrested and charged with contravention of Medicines and Related Substances Act, and possession of suspected stolen property.
KwaZulu-Natal: A 20-year-old suspect, who was wanted for murder and several cases of house and business robberies, was shot and killed in a shootout with police at Cato Manor in Durban on 16 October 2025. Police seized a firearm and ammunition.
Two suspected armed robbers were shot and killed in a shootout with police during a takedown in a complex in Durban, in the Waterfall area, on 14 October 2025.
The police said with festive season operations already launched across multiple provinces, Operation Shanela’s impact will be felt nationwide.
“These arrests send a stark warning to prospective criminal: do not even consider engaging in any form of criminal activity. As the festive season rapidly approaches, these operations will be conducted with intensified force and precision,” said National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola. – SAnews.gov.za
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