Two hundred and fifty-eight arrested during Crime-Prevention clean sweep in the Northern Cape

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Through the implementation of Operation Shanela 2, law enforcement in the Northern Cape apprehended 258 perpetrators during intensified crime prevention operations from Monday 1 December 2025 until Sunday, 7 December 2025.

The operations were led by senior management at both provincial and district levels, in collaboration with key stakeholders.

Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola led operations in the greater Kimberley that led to significant successes, especially in terms of road safety.

A focused crime-prevention strategy was executed across all five districts, with all law-enforcement agencies conducting targeted disruptive operations.

These included stop-and-search operations, vehicle checkpoints, roadblocks, and increased high visibility patrols.

During the week-long operation, a total of 10 342 persons and 5 223 vehicles were stopped and searched, in addition to searches conducted at various premises.

Compliance inspections were carried out at second-hand goods dealers, liquor outlets, formal and informal businesses, farms, and scrapyards. As a result, 34 unlicensed liquor establishments were closed for failing to comply with relevant legislation.

Altogether, 258 suspects were arrested for a range of serious and violent crimes.

Detectives conducted 47 tracing operations, resulting in the apprehension of suspects who had been evading arrest for various crimes.

During the operations, members confiscated significant quantities of alcohol, drugs, and dangerous weapons.

Community engagements and awareness initiatives addressing gender-based violence and femicide were held throughout the province in partnership with community policing structures and government departments.  As the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign concludes on 10 December 2025, police have pledged to continue with efforts to eradicate these crimes  beyond the campaign.

The Northern Cape SAPS remains committed to sustaining intensified operations across the province to restore stability and combat crime in identified problematic areas, in close cooperation with stakeholders and the community.