FESTIVE SEASON CRIME CRACKDOWN: 17 817 SUSPECTS ARRESTED INCLUDING 2 843 WANTED FOR SERIOUS CRIMES AND 121 UNLICENSED FIREARMS SEIZED DURING NATIONWIDE OPERATIONS
By Chilis Suzan Zukwa: PRETORIA- 10 November 2025; The SAPS is successfully implementing the nationwide Safer Festive Season Operation alongside Operation Shanela II in the fight against crime and stamping the authority of state ahead of the festive season. These intensified intelligence-led driven operations resulted in the arrest of 17 817 suspects from 03 to 09 November 2025 across multiple provinces.
The week-long operations saw police tracking down and apprehending 2 843 wanted suspects for serious crimes such as murder, rape, car hijackings, drug trafficking, robberies, and sexual offences.
THE NATIONAL ARRESTS BREAKDOWN ARE AS FOLLLOWS:
▶️ Murder: 145 (GP: 38, EC: 36)
▶️ Attempted murder: 154
▶️ Rape: 137 (GP: 34, WC: 31)
▶️ Assault GBH: 1 505
▶️ Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs: 630 (GP: 126, MP: 101)
▶️ Illegal migrants: 1 366 (GP: 619)
▶️Illegal dealing in liquor: 921 (KZN: 305, WC: 230, MP: 159)
▶️ Illegal possession of firearms: 85 (KZN: 23)
▶️Dangerous weapons possession: 529
▶️Possession of drugs: 3 255:(WC 1 868, KZN 390, and GP 370)
▶️Dealing in drugs: 293: (WC 64, EC 63, KZN 53, and GP 47)
CONFISCATIONS AND
RECOVERIES
▶️Contraband to value of more than R18.9 million seized during this period
▶️ Firearms seized: 121 including 9 rifles, 4 homemade, 4 shotguns)
▶️ 2 238 rounds of ammunition seized
▶️ Vehicles seized: 48 (trailers, motorcycles, trucks, sedans, SUVs)
▶️ Dangerous weapons: 871
HIGHIGHTS OF TAKEDOWNS FOR THE PAST WEEK:
▶️National: The SAPS has received a surrender order from the Eswatini government for the two Ndimande brothers wanted for a string of cases, including the murders of Kiernan AKA Forbes and TIBZ Motsoane.
Still on National, police in collaboration with INTERPOL NCB Pretoria members rescued three Botswana nationals aged between 20 and 23 years who fell victim to human trafficking at OR Tambo International on 07 November 2025.
▶️Gauteng: The Gauteng Counterfeit Unit, in collaboration with National Head Office Counterfeit, Border Police, Public Order Police, Commercial Unit, and brand protectors, has conducted an operation targeting counterfeit goods in Johannesburg Central on Friday, 7 November 2025. The operation resulted in the seizure of counterfeit goods valued at R11.4 million, including clothes, shoes, embroidery machines, printing machines, stickers, and packaging materials.
Still on Gauteng, four suspected cash-in-transit robbers were shot and killed in a shootout with police and other law enforcement officers in Bronkhorstspruit on 07 November 2025. The fifth suspect was arrested, and three firearms, including two rifles and magazines, loaded with ammunition as well as a Mercedes Benz, were seized during the operation.
▶️Limpopo: On 04 November 2025, a 54-year-old male suspect who is the brother of former police officer, Rachel Kutumela arrested in connection with the ongoing R10 million insurance murder, fraud and money laundering case in Moletjie, outside Seshego.
▶️Western Cape: Police arrested four suspects believed to be behind the brutal murder cases in Philippi East on 30 September 2025, where victims were shot and set alight.
Still on Western Cape, members of Operation Lockdown III and the Endangered Species K9 Unit arrested Chinese and Malawian nationals for possession of abalone worth more than R3 million in Primrose Park on 07 November 2025. Drying equipment and gas cylinders were also confiscated.
▶️KwaZulu-Natal: A 48-year-old suspect was arrested after he allegedly burnt his 41-year-old girlfriend to death and hacked her 28-year-old daughter with an axe before raping her 13-year-old daughter in Ngome on 06 November 2025.
▶️Mpumalanga: Police intercepted a truck transporting suspected illicit goods on the N4 in Middelburg, and three suspects aged between 30 and 38 years were arrested on the scene. They seized counterfeit and illicit goods, including sneakers, slides, soccer boots, and different brands of flip-flops worth R1 million.
▶️Northern Cape: Police intercepted a vehicle at the N7 Road and uncovered dagga worth R7.7 million. Two suspects were arrested, and the vehicle used in the commission of crime was also confiscated.
▶️Eastern Cape: A 34-year-old suspect arrested for the possession of unlicensed AK-47 and ammunition. In addition, he was also found possession of drugs in Libode on 05 November 2025.
South African Police Service (SAPS) continues to urge communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity as the festive season intensifies.
