POLOKWANE – Members of the South African Police Service apprehended 792 suspects and recovered four firearms in Limpopo following a high-density operation, Shanela, which was carried out throughout five districts.
The operation commenced on Monday, 10 and continued to Sunday, 16 November 2025, and was executed jointly with other law enforcement agencies, including members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Traffic Police, Department of Home Affairs, and Department of Correctional Services, as well as Community Policing Forum (CPF) and Youth Desk.
The suspects were arrested for offenses that included illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, possession of dangerous weapons, illegal dealing in liquor, dealing in drugs, rape, assault (GBH and common), illegal migrants, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and burglary.
The operations were conducted through roadblocks, stop and searches, tracing of wanted suspects, high-visibility patrols, vehicle and premises searches, and licensed liquor premises inspections.
The operations yielded positive results, and the successes achieved are as follows:
▶️ 18 Rape
▶️ 03 Murder
▶️ 01 Car hijacking
▶️ 194 Illegal migrants
▶️ 36 Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
▶️ 23 Malicious damage to property
▶️ 06 Burglary (Residential)
▶️ 02 Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle
▶️ 82 Assault GBH
The following items were confiscated during the operation:
▶️ 04 Firearms
▶️ 10 kg Copper cables
▶️ 02 Computers and 2 laptops
▶️ 28 Rounds of ammunition
▶️ 373.56 Litres of alcoholic beverages
▶️ 3.061 Grams of Nyaope
▶️ 0.080 Grams of crystal meth
▶️ 1614 kg Dagga
▶️ 171.19 Grams of cocaine
The suspects already appeared before various respective magistrates’ courts.
The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, hailed the arrests and congratulated the stakeholders involved in the operation, as well as pledged Limpopo residents protection throughout the upcoming festive season.
Operation Shanela arrested 792 suspects for various offenses across five districtshttps://t.co/2txRdN9he4#ArriveAlive #Crime @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/CqPHznUdt1
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) November 20, 2025
