KIMBERLEY – Operation Shanela, the weekly multi-disciplinary high density operation which commenced on Monday, 22 September 2025 until Sunday, 28 September 2025 remains intentional and focused on the reduction of contact and violent crimes in the Northern Cape.
Actions and police activities executed during the operations included, vehicle check points (VCP’s), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, drugs and other commodities smuggling.
Several VCP’s and roadblocks were conducted across the province during which a total of 6116 vehicles and 11 499 persons were stopped and searched.
Numerous compliance inspections at second-hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, including 115 licenced liquor outlets as well as farms were executed.
Operational successes achieved, included the arrest of 961 suspects for murder, attempted murder, rape, assault, burglary, illegal possession of firearm and ammunition, malicious damage to property, illegal dealing in liquor, robbery, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, possession of dangerous weapons, dealing in and possession of drugs, stock theft, contravention of the wildlife and immigration act, as well as theft out of a motor vehicle.
The police in Kuruman while conducting routine crime prevention patrols successfully arrested 5 suspects for possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition.
Police in Colesberg also nabbed and detained a wanted suspect who was en-route to Gauteng on a truck and seized a licensed 9mm pistol that was in his possession.
More than 167 wanted suspects were traced and brought to book for evading court appearances and contravention of court orders.
The police confiscated large volumes of alcoholic beverages and closed 34 unlicenced liquor outlets and or shebeens as well as drugs, dangerous weapons and cash that is believed to be the proceeds of crime.
The Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola cited that the arrests by the police are a testament to the men and women in blue’s unwavering commitment to prevent and combat serious and violent crimes, adding that each arrest is a step closer towards a safer province for all.
She expressed her gratitude to all law enforcement agencies for their continued collaborative efforts in clamping down on crime and thanked the community for their support and sharing information with the police.
The Northern Cape Police arrest 961 suspects through Operation Shanela 2https://t.co/e4CT4S3jow#ArriveAlive #Crime @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/l1ODG9VVtC
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) September 28, 2025
