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The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Northern Cape remains resolute in its commitment to combat all forms of criminality through the implementation of Operation Shanela 2.
Intensified, zero-tolerance, high-density operations were conducted from Monday, 29 December 2025 to Sunday, 04 January 2026 led by the Provincial Commissioner, Deputy Provincial Commissioners, District Commissioners and Senior Managers with the support of various stakeholders.
These included the National Traffic Police, Municipal and Provincial Traffic, and the Departments of Home Affairs, Justice and Constitutional Development, SARS, as well as Community Policing Forums across the province.
During the operations, numerous premises were searched, while 10 280 persons were searched. A total of 4 448 vehicles were stopped and searched.
In addition, members conducted stop-and-search operations, high-visibility patrols, vehicle check points (VCPs), and roadblocks.
Several wanted suspects who were evading arrest were traced and arrested by detectives during tracing operations.
Furthermore, farms were visited to ensure compliance with immigration and labour legislation, and nine (9) unlicensed liquor outlets were identified and closed.
Compliance inspections were conducted at licensed premises, second-hand dealers, scrapyards, and recycling depots to ensure regulatory compliance.
Firearm compliance inspections were conducted at both official and non-official institutions, including private security companies and firearm dealers.
Additionally, compliance inspections were undertaken at informal businesses, including spaza shops, and formal businesses, with a specific focus on labour law compliance.
Three hundred and twenty two (322) individuals were arrested for various offences, including the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, dealing in and possession of drugs, illegal liquor trading, business and residential robberies, murder and attempted murder, rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, common assault, burglary at business and residential premises, malicious damage to property, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as well as contraventions of immigration legislation.
Large quantities of alcohol and drugs were confiscated, and money suspected to be the proceeds of crime was seized.
The Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in the Northern Cape, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, welcomed the positive results and reaffirmed SAPS’ unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of communities, particularly during the festive season.
She further encouraged members of the public to actively partner with law enforcement agencies in the fight against all forms of crime in the province.
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