2 124 WATNED SUSPECTS AMONG 17 223 INDIVIDUALS ARRESTED, 179 FIREARMS AND CONTRABAND WORTH MORE THAN 7.2 MILLION SEIZED DURING NATIONWIDE SHANELA II OPERATIONS
Pretoria, 20 October 2025 – The South African Police Service (SAPS) through Shanela II operations led to the arrest of 17 223 suspects and confiscations of 179 unlicensed firearms from 13 to 19 October 2025 across the country.
These crime-fighting initiatives and successes are attributed to intelligence-led takedowns, high-visibility patrols, and strategic interventions across multiple provinces.
Shanela’s sweeping arrests included 2 124 most wanted suspects linked to heinous crimes, including murder, rape, car hijackings, and armed robberies.
Other key arrests include:
▶️117 suspects arrested for murder, KwaZulu Natal recorded the highest with 40, followed by Gauteng with 27
▶️ 125 attempted murder suspects were arrested across the country
▶️233 suspects arrested for rape with the majority of arrests in KwaZulu-Natal with 119
▶️322 suspects arrested for dealing in drugs, Western Cape (62), KwaZulu-Natal (59), Gauteng (58), and Northern Cape (50)
▶️1 615 suspects arrested for possession of drugs with majority of arrests in KwaZulu-Natal (418), followed by Gauteng (308), Western Cape (291) and the Eastern Cape (195)
▶️141 suspects arrested for illegal possession of unlicensed firearms
▶️ Police also arrested 760 suspects for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (MP-198, GP-135, KZN-132)
MAJOR SEIZURES AND RECOVERIES
▶️In addition, 1 275 ammunition seized during this period
▶️25169 litres of alcohol seized, including 9,827 litres in Northern Cape alone.
▶️ Contraband worth more than R7.2 million confiscated, crippling illicit trade networks.
▶️74 stolen vehicles recovered, ranging from sedans to trucks and motorcycles
HIGHIGHTS OF TAKEDOWNS FOR THE PAST WEEK
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.
Still on Gauteng, 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 a series of business robberies committed in various parts of Mopani District. A refrigerator, one generator, two electrical cords, and a music sound system were recovered.
Still on Limpopo, two suspects arrested, and two firearms and ammunition seized during a shootout with police in Bolobedu, Tzaneen.
Western Cape: Anti-Gang Unit members executed a search and seizure warrant at 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 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 Substance and possession of suspected stolen property.
KwaZulu-Natal: A 20-year-old wanted suspect 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.
Still on KZN, two suspected armed robbers were shot and killed in a shootout with police during a takedown in a complex in Durban, Waterfall area on 14 October 2025.
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 criminals, 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
