Pretoria: Police in the Northern Cape have arrested 263 suspects during a week-long provincewide crackdown under Operation Shanela II aimed at curbing crime ahead of the festive season.
According to South African Government News Agency, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said the multi-disciplinary operation, conducted from 13 to 19 October 2025, targeted anticipated spikes in criminal activity linked to increased social events.
“All stakeholders implemented an integrated approach, combining intelligence-led actions with visible patrols to curb crime across all five districts,” SAPS said in a statement. The operation included stop-and-search actions, vehicle checkpoints, roadblocks, and high-visibility patrols, during which officers searched 7,831 individuals and 3,969 vehicles. Police also inspected numerous premises, including liquor outlets, second-hand dealers, farms, and scrapyards, closing 26 unlicensed liquor premises for non-compliance.
In the John Taolo Gaetsewe District, officers searched long-distance passenger buses to intercept the transport of drugs and other illicit goods. Suspects were arrested for crimes including drug dealing and possession, illegal liquor trading, robbery, attempted murder, burglary, and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH). Police also seized alcohol, drugs, dangerous weapons, and copper cables.
SAPS said it would continue to focus on preventing the possession of dangerous weapons and substance abuse, both of which fuel serious and violent crimes. Community engagement and awareness campaigns were held alongside community policing forums and government departments to address local crime trends. “A safer society can only be realised through cooperative action between the police, stakeholders, and the community,” SAPS said, adding that operations will continue across the province to stabilise identified crime hotspots.