16 339 SUSPECTS ARRESTED INCLUDING 2 713 WANTED SUSPECTS CAPTURED, 1 917 ROUNDS AMMUNITION AND 158 FIREARMS SEIZED DURING NATIONWIDE SHANELA 2 OPERATIONS
PRETORIA- 27 October 2025; The SAPS Safer Festive Season Operations are in full swing and currently running alongside Operation Shanela. These operations have resulted in the arrest of 16 339 suspects and the confiscations of 158 unlicensed firearms across the country from 20 to 26 October 2025.
Police tracing operations are also key initiatives, leading to arrest of 2 713 wanted individuals linked to serious crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape, sexual offences, illegal possession of firearms, car hijackings, and various forms of robbery.
OTHER KEY ARRESTS INCLUDE:
▶️90 suspects arrested for murder, Eastern Cape recorded the highest with 23, followed by Gauteng with 21
▶️ 102 attempted murder suspects were arrested across the country
▶️ 227 suspects arrested for rape with majority of arrests in KwaZulu-Natal with 80, followed by Gauteng with 49
▶️292 suspects arrested for dealing in drugs, Western Cape (78), KwaZulu-Natal (63), Eastern Cape (44), and Gauteng (40)
▶️2001 suspects arrested for possession of drugs with majority of arrests in Western Cape (976), followed by KwaZulu-Natal (381) Gauteng (262) and Eastern Cape (184)
▶️132 suspects apprehended for illegal possession of unlicensed firearms
▶️ 866 suspects arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (GP-275, MP-198, KZN-122)
▶️1 464 suspects arrested for assault GBH
▶️734 for illegal liquor trade
MAJOR SEIZURES AND RECOVERIES
▶️In addition, 1 917 rounds ammunition seized during this period
▶️724 dangerous weapons were also recovered.
▶️25 964 litres of alcohol also seized
▶️ Contraband in goods worth more than R29.6 million confiscated
▶️65 stolen vehicles recovered, ranging from sedans to trucks and motorcycles
HIGHLIGHTS OF SHANELA 2 TAKEDOWNS CONDUCTED ACROSS VRAIOUS PROVINCES:
▶️National: Police seized illegally imported cell phones, mainly Apple iPhone, Samsung gadgets, and cell phone accessories worth more than R17 million, including two-way radios. Police investigation is still underway.
▶️Gauteng: Three suspected kidnappers were shot and killed in a shootout with police in Parktown during a police operation on 24 October 2024. The suspects were allegedly involved in the kidnapping of a Chinese national in June 2025 and recently attempted to kidnap another businessman in Gauteng. They intercepted the suspects while en route to commit robbery. Two unlicensed firearms were seized.
Still on Gauteng, On 24 October 2025, six illegal miners arrested at Protea Mine, Magaliesberg. Police seized four rifles, 343 rounds of ammunition, mining equipment including generators, jackhammers, detonation cords with blasting caps, and power gel.
Again, police also arrested one of the suspects wanted in connection with the tavern shooting incident that left five people dead, and the other six sustained serious injuries at Zithobeni, Bronkhorspruit on 5 October 2025. He is facing five counts of murder and six counts of attempted murder.
▶️Free State: Police in collaboration with the Traffic Department and Mangaung Law Enforcement members arrested two suspects in connection with possession and manufacturing of fraudulent official documents. The team seized fraudulent materials, including completed application forms for driver’s licenses, numerous temporary driver’s licenses, and vehicle license discs for various vehicles.
▶️KwaZulu-Natal: Two suspects aged between 27 and 30 years were shot and killed in shootout with the police at Glebelands Hostel on 20 October 2025. The shooting incident occurred when police were searching for a suspect in connection with a hijacking case. Two unlicensed firearms and six rounds of ammunition seized.
In a separation operation at Mbumbulu, police seized three AK 47 assault rifles, one Rifle, one pistol, and 93 rounds of ammunition.
▶️Western Cape: The Western Cape Provincial Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Policing Team and partners confiscated a large consignment of counterfeit clothing, footwear, accessories bearing trademarks worth R8 million.
Shanela 2 continues to strike at the heart of criminal networks. Every arrest, every weapon removed, and every illicit item seized is a step toward reclaiming our communities as well as to maintain law and order.
