Lwandle:South Africa: The South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested 14,274 suspects during its Shanela operations for various serious crimes including murder, rape, drug dealing, robbery, illegal migration, and copper theft from September 21 to September 27, 2026.
According to South African Government News Agency, the operation also resulted in the arrest of 1,854 additional wanted suspects traced by detectives. SAPS made significant strides in curbing illegal activities by closing 369 unlicensed liquor outlets, with 216 closures occurring in KwaZulu-Natal alone. Furthermore, 5,727 compliance inspections were conducted at licensed establishments, leading to the confiscation of over 22,000 liters of alcohol.
The police seized 148 illegal firearms and 1,706 rounds of ammunition, aiming to reduce violent crimes associated with liquor outlets and shebeens. SAPS emphasized their commitment to community safety by tackling the dual threats of alcohol abuse and illegal firearms.
In the fight against sexual violence, 195 suspects were arrested for rape, representing crucial progress in addressing violence against women. In the Western Cape, a special team has been formed to investigate a shooting in Lwandle that resulted in 10 deaths and 11 injuries. Another incident at the Wedela Tavern saw 17 people, including 13 males and four females, fatally shot, highlighting the severe impact of gun violence on communities.
Additionally, 2,858 individuals were arrested for drug possession, and 1,196 for driving under the influence, illustrating the wide-reaching scope of the Shanela operations.