SAPS STRIKES HARD WITH 18 970 SUSPECTS ARRESTED, 132 UNLICENSED FIREARMS AND 888 ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION SEIZED DURING NATIONWIDE SHANELA II OPERATIONS
Pretoria, 12 January 2026; The South African Police Service (SAPS) has been hard at work in ensuring its men and women in blue prevent and combat criminality in all forms to keep communities safe. Just this past week, starting 05 and ending , 11 January 2026, police arrested 18 970 suspects during nationwide operations.
These suspects face various charges that include murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, rape, assault, burglary, drug trafficking, and more.
Furthermore, 2 247 wanted suspects were arrested for serious crimes including murder, rape, sexual assault, robberies, car hijackings and many other serious crimes.
In addition, 132 unlicensed firearms, ranging from handguns, rifles, homemade guns to shotguns were siezed during this period. Police also seized 888 rounds of ammunition and 179 explosives.
Other key arrests include:
▶️ 1 130 suspects arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (KZN-382, MP-256, NW-110)
▶️ 156 suspects were arrested for murder
▶️ 211 suspects were arrested for attempted murder
▶️ 185 people were arrested for rape
▶️ 2 282 suspects were arrested for assault GBH
▶️ 66 suspects were arrested for armed robbery
▶️1 360 suspects were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act (GP-568, FS-234)
Under confiscations and recoveries:
▶️ 132 firearms were recovered – they include 9 homemade, 6 rifle and 6 shotgun firearms
▶️ 888 rounds of ammunition of different calibres
▶️ 179 explosives confiscated
▶️ R1 453 240 contraband illegal imported goods were confiscated – GP- R1 235 460
▶️1 769 kg of copper was recovered
▶️ 36 hijacked and stolen vehicles were recovered
Provincial highlights for the past week:
GAUTENG – Police arrested a 36-year-old man in Roodepoort after recovering two rifles (an AK-47 and a 308 rifle), a magazine, and more than 80 rounds of ammunition. Acting on information received on 5 January 2026, the Gauteng Organised Crime Tracing Team and Police Emergency Services Flexi searched a house and seized the unlicensed firearms. The suspect faces charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and will appear in the Roodepoort Magistrate Court.
GAUTENG – A 47-year-old foreign national was arrested in Johannesburg CBD and 10 teenage boys rescued in a joint operation by Fox Security, JMPD, SAPS Mondeor and the Hawks’ trafficking unit. Eight half naked teens were found walking in Mulbarton, while two more were recovered after a high speed chase involving a blue VW Jetta. The suspect faces charges of illegal immigration and suspected human trafficking, and will appear in Booysens Magistrate Court on 8 January 2025.
GAUTENG – A 33 year old foreign national was arrested in Malvern East on 9 January 2026 after police found him with military explosives. He will appear in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court on charges of possession.
LIMPOPO – Police arrested 843 suspects during Operation Shanela II recovering 3 firearms, 132 rounds of ammunition, and various drugs. Offences included murder, rape, assault, robbery, burglary, drug and liquor crimes. 185 undocumented foreign nationals were also detained. High-impact actions involved patrols, roadblocks, stop-and-searches, and compliance inspections.
POLOKWANE – A 39-year-old foreign national was arrested near Beitbridge Border Post on 9 Jan 2026 after SANDF patrols intercepted suspects with bags containing 25 safety fuses and 125 blasting cartridges. One suspect escaped. The arrested man will appear in Musina Magistrate’s Court on 12 January 2026.
NORTH WEST – Police in Bojanala (Rustenburg/Marikana) arrested four suspects between 8–9 Jan 2026 for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, including a rifle, AK 47, 9mm pistol, and 25 rounds. One suspect is linked to a 2025 Rustenburg murder case, while another faces immigration charges. All are due in court on 12 January 2026.
KWAZULU-NATAL – Police fatally shot five wanted suspects in a Bester, Inanda shootout on 8 Jan 2026. The men, linked to murder, attempted murder (including on police), and house robberies, opened fire when officers closed in. Police returned fire, killing all five and recovering four firearms. No officers were injured.
MPUMALANGA – Police uncovered a dagga field worth R2.9 million near Schoemansdal on 9 Jan 2026 during Operation Safer Festive Season. The plants were uprooted and disposed, with investigations underway to trace those responsible.
