Operation Shanela sweeps across Northern Cape, 196 suspects arrested
THE NORTHERN Cape police, alongside multiple government departments and law enforcement agencies, have intensified efforts to dismantle criminal activities across the province. Under the banner of Operation Shanela, a sweeping series of week-long operations saw nearly 200 suspects arrested and a significant haul of illicit goods confiscated.
According to provincial police spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers, the disruptive actions took place from Monday, 17 February 2024, to Sunday, 23 February 2025. Officers apprehended 196 individuals, including wanted suspects, for various offences. These included attempted murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, robbery, burglary, and drug-related crimes. Detectives also executed targeted tracing operations to bring fugitives to justice.
The initiative led to an impressive 588 stop-and-search actions and the establishment of 42 vehicle checkpoints and roadblocks. During these operations, authorities searched nearly 4,000 individuals and over 1,100 vehicles in a bid to root out criminal activity.
Compliance inspections formed a crucial part of the operation, with the police visiting 912 establishments, including liquor outlets, second-hand goods dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, and informal businesses. These checks resulted in the closure of 15 unlicensed liquor outlets and the seizure of a large quantity of alcohol.
The crackdown also yielded a substantial amount of drugs, including dagga, mandrax, and tik, while dangerous weapons were taken off the streets.
As part of a proactive approach to rural crime prevention, authorities conducted safety visits to 67 farms, working in conjunction with the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Labour to enhance farm security and tackle stock theft.
Beyond law enforcement actions, Operation Shanela prioritised community engagement. Officers led awareness campaigns in all five districts of the province, focusing on child safety, bullying, robbery, fraud, substance abuse, rural safety, and service delivery.
Colonel Ehlers said the police will continue to implement these disruptive operations, and she urged communities to share valuable information to assist in the fight against crime.
Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activities using the MySAPS app or by calling the Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111.
