SAPS ARREST 18 231 SUSPECTS FOR VARIOUS OFFENCES, MORE THAN R2 MILLION WORTH OF CONTRABAND GOODS INCLUDING 136 ILLEGAL FIREARMS SEIZED IN NATIONWIDE OPERATION SHANELA II
PRETORIA: 09 February 2026 – 18 231 suspects were arrested for various serious crimes during Nationwide Operation Shanela II, conducted from 02 February 2026 to 08 February 2026 to ensure public safety and security.
Within a week, detectives conducted raids and apprehended 2 592 wanted suspects for serious and violent crimes, including carjacking, murder, attempted murder, rape, sexual offences, illegal possession of firearms, assault GBH, house and business robberies.
Addressing alcohol related offences, 714 suspects were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, while 1 062 suspects were arrested for illegal dealing in liquor. Police also confiscated 39 994 litres of alcohol across multiple provinces.
As part of police intensified fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) and sexual offences, 175 suspects for rape and 60 suspects for attempted rape were arrested within the past the week.
KEY ARRESTS :
• 67 suspects for armed robberies
• 164 suspects for murder
• 126 suspects for attempted murder
• 120 suspects for illegal possession of firearms – KZN-30, EC-25, WC-21
• 253 suspects for dealing in drugs – WC-72, KZN -43, NC-40
• 1 564 suspects for assault GBH
• 38 suspects for possession of second-hand goods
• 3 195 suspects for possession of drugs
Confiscations and Recoveries
2480 abalone recovered
Contraband goods worth more than R2 million confiscated
4 995 mandrax tablets confiscated
1 094 rounds of ammunition seized
136 firearms recovered (including 3 homemade, 13 rifles, 5 shotguns)
931 000 litres of fuel confiscated
2 137 tobacco products confiscated
43 vehicles recovered (trailers, motorcycles, trucks, sedans, SUVs)
