LIMPOPO POLICE APPREHEND OVER 900 SUSPECTS AND RECOVER 4 FIREARMS DURING OPERATION SHANELA
POLOKWANE: The South African Police Service in Limpopo continues to intensify its fight against crime through high-density operations.
Between 19 January and 25 January 2026, a total of 923 suspects were arrested, 04 firearms, and 103 rounds of ammunition were recovered during Operation Shanela, conducted across all five districts in the province.
Among the arrests were:
▶️ 02 Murder
▶️01 Attempted murder ▶️03 Robbery residence ▶️09 Rape
▶️ 23 Malicious damage to property
▶️ 151 illegal migrants
▶️35 Assault GBH
▶️43 Assault Common
▶️04 Illegal possession of firearms
▶️ 14 Possession of dangerous weapons
▶️44 Possession of drugs
Confiscation included:
▶️560 counterfeit goods ▶️ 108 ammunition
▶️ 26 Dangerous weapons ▶️ 1,135 kg Drugs (Dagga)▶️ 0.004 g of the drug crystal meth
▶️ 0.021g drugs Nyaope
Police actions carried out:
▶️ 1152 liquor premises inspected
▶️ 274 secondhand goods inspected
▶️ 57 scrapyards searched
▶️5498 Informal businesses, e.g., spaza shops, were inspected to ensure labour law compliance.
▶️ 13045 persons searched
▶️ 6179 vehicles searched.
The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe,
praised the teams’ ongoing efforts, stating, “These arrests and recoveries are a clear indication that Operation Shanela is yielding results.” We are unwavering in our resolve to eradicate crime from communities and guarantee everyone’s safety in Limpopo.
