Johannesburg: The South African Police Service (SAPS) continues to register progress in the fight against crime through its nationwide Safer Festive Season Operation, which led to the arrest of 16,066 suspects across the country.
According to South African Government News Agency, the operation, carried out between 17 and 23 November 2025, is running alongside Operation Shanela II to ensure safety and security ahead of the festive season. In just one week, 1,870 wanted suspects were tracked down and apprehended for serious and violent crimes such as murder, rape, car hijackings, house and business robberies, and drug trafficking.
The nationwide breakdown of arrests across various crime categories includes 143 suspects for murder, with Gauteng recording the highest number of arrests with 38. For rape, 178 suspects were arrested, with the majority in KwaZulu-Natal. A total of 170 suspects were arrested for attempted murder across different provinces, and 1,534 suspects were arrested for assault GBH. Drug-related arrests included 2,778 for possession and 283 for dealing, with the Western Cape leading in numbers. Furthermore, 99 suspects were apprehended for illegal possession of unlicensed firearms, while 600 were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Major seizures and recoveries during this period include 1,818 rounds of ammunition, 150 unlicensed firearms, 984 dangerous weapons, and contraband goods worth more than R4 million. Additionally, 61 stolen and hijacked vehicles were recovered.
Highlights of takedowns conducted across the country feature significant operations. In North West, four suspects were arrested for kidnapping and robbing a businessman, with police confiscating various items during the operation. In Gauteng, police successfully recovered a hijacked truck transporting medicine valued at R2.5 million, and counterfeit goods worth R1.8 million were seized. Limpopo saw an intelligence-driven operation targeting a scrapyard linked to illicit vehicle activities, resulting in the seizure of seven vehicles for investigation.
In the Western Cape, four armed suspects were arrested following a shootout with police, resulting in the seizure of firearms and ammunition. Counterfeit and illicit goods worth R1 million were also confiscated. In the Free State, a joint operation led to the arrest of suspects linked to armed robberies at jewellery stores, with police seizing firearms and jewellery. In Mpumalanga, a suspect was arrested for kidnapping, robbery, and rape.
In the Eastern Cape, police arrested suspects linked to an armed robbery of a jewellery store, with a shootout ensuing during their apprehension. Police also intercepted an Opel Astra along the N2, arresting three suspects for conspiracy to commit abalone poaching, seizing related equipment for investigation.