Police net 289 suspects in Northern Cape festive season safety drive

THE NORTHERN Cape police have intensified their ongoing Safer Festive Season operations, with nearly 300 suspects arrested in a single week across the province.

According to Northern Cape police spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers, co-ordinated teams under the banner of Operation Shanela II carried out more than 10,000 “disruptive actions” between November 3 and 9 across all five districts of the province. The operation forms part of the police’s province-wide drive to stamp out crime during the high-risk festive period.

The multi-disciplinary effort – led by senior officers at provincial and district level – saw 289 people arrested for a range of offences, including murder, attempted murder, rape, robbery, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and drug-related crimes.

Police conducted stop-and-search operations, roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, and high-visibility patrols, targeting known hot spots and routes used by offenders. Over 5,000 individuals and 2,500 vehicles were stopped and searched, while detectives executed tracing operations to track down wanted criminals who had been evading the law.

In addition, compliance inspections were carried out at liquor outlets, second-hand dealers, scrapyards, farms and businesses, resulting in 24 unlicensed liquor premises being shut down for non-compliance. 

Authorities also cracked down on the possession of dangerous weapons – particularly knives – as well as on substance abuse and excessive alcohol consumption, all of which are major contributors to serious criminal offences.

Police say the campaign is not only about arrests, but also about prevention. Awareness programmes are being rolled out across the province in partnership with community policing forums and government departments to address issues such as substance abuse, property-related crime and alcohol-fuelled violence.

Colonel Ehlers credited the success of the operation to the combined efforts of all stakeholders, emphasising that lasting safety and stability depend on strong partnerships between the police, community structures, and other role players. 

She added that intensified operations will continue across the Northern Cape throughout the festive season and beyond, targeting crime hot spots to maintain law and order.