Roadblocks, raids and blitzes: Operation yields 258 arrests in Northern Cape

A MASSIVE week-long crime-prevention drive has seen 258 suspects arrested across the Northern Cape, as police intensified their year-end clean-up operations under the banner of Operation Shanela II.

From December 1 to 7, police descended on communities in all five districts of the province, conducting a co-ordinated blitz of roadblocks, stop-and-searches, compliance inspections, and high-visibility patrols. Senior officers at provincial and district levels steered the campaign, with the Northern Cape provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, personally leading operations in the greater Kimberley, where officers reported “significant successes” on the roads and in hot-spot areas.

The sweep was broad and relentless. Over 10,000 people and more than 5,000 vehicles were stopped and searched during the seven-day crackdown, while detectives carried out 47 tracing operations to find suspects who had been on the run.

Businesses were also under scrutiny. Police visited second-hand goods dealers, liquor stores, informal traders, scrapyards, and farms to check adherence to legislation. The clampdown resulted in 34 unlicensed liquor outlets being shut down for non-compliance.

Large quantities of illicit alcohol, drugs, and dangerous weapons were seized as part of the operation, which police describe as a targeted effort to stabilise crime in high-risk zones.

Alongside enforcement, officers partnered with community policing structures and government departments to deliver awareness programmes on gender-based violence and femicide. These initiatives come as the national 16 Days of Activism campaign draws to a close on December 10, with police stressing that their work “will continue beyond the campaign”.

Northern Cape police spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said SAPS remains committed to sustaining these intensified interventions to “restore stability and combat crime” in problematic areas across the province.

One of the major actions carried out during the week-long Operation Shanela II sweep was a focused crime blitz in the greater Kimberley area on December 5, led by Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola and Frances Baard district commissioner Major-General Charlotte Makgari.

As part of the Safer Festive Season campaign, officers from provincial components, stations, and specialised units joined forces with surrounding law-enforcement agencies to run simultaneous operations across Kimberley and neighbouring stations in the Frances Baard District.

The crime sweep included roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, and extensive stop-and-search actions, with officers also engaging motorists by distributing safety pamphlets and sharing crime-prevention tips ahead of the holiday rush. High-visibility patrols were deployed to shopping malls and other busy retail areas to curb ATM-related and in-store offences.

During the Kimberley blitz, police searched 683 vehicles and 1,947 individuals. Traffic officials issued fines totalling R14,150 for various road violations, while a further R16,100 in Admission of Guilt fines was recorded.

Colonel Ehlers said these actions will continue “unabated” as authorities work to ensure the safety of residents and visitors during the festive season.