The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Tshwane carried out Operation Shanela, another high-intensity crime-fighting operation, on Saturday, 19 July 2025. By tackling crime in Tshwane, with an emphasis on the Rietgat and Soshanguve policing precincts, this planned intervention seeks to boost police visibility through ongoing efforts.
The operation was planned and executed by the District Commissioner of Tshwane, Major-General Samuel Thine, by assembling a multi-disciplinary team comprising SAPS members, the Department of Home Affairs, National Traffic Police, Tshwane Metro Police Department, Gauteng Traffic Police, Gauteng Traffic Wardens, Department of Community Safety and representatives of the local Community Policing Forum.
This combined effort resulted in the arrest of 343 suspects for various criminal offences. These results are a direct outcome of planning, strategic deployments and heightened visibility aimed at reducing crime and continued track and tracing of wanted suspects.
Tshwane District detectives executed the first phase of the operation and were responsible for 254 arrests, including 70 suspects for gender-based violence-related offences, 4 for murder, 3 for attempted murder, 9 for armed robbery, 1 for impersonating a Police Officer, 27 for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and 6 for rape.
A roadblock was established and executed in Soshanguve with two operational teams being deployed across the Soshanguve and Rietgat areas, resulting in the detention of 29 undocumented foreign nationals, who are currently being processed by immigration authorities for deportation.
During the operation, 926 individuals and 418 vehicles were searched. 27 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Targeted patrols were conducted at 21 identified crime hotspots, leading to further arrests, including 19 persons for public drinking, 4 suspects for possession of drugs when several ziplock bags containing Crystal meth were found in their possession.
Traffic enforcement units issued 57 AARTO infringement notices, totalling R76 000 in fines.
16 Spaza shops were inspected, with 22 Liquor compliance inspections being carried out at liquor establishments, resulted in 6 being closed for non-compliance. A total of 1 238 218 ml of alcohol and 2 gambling machines were confiscated.
Major-General Thine thanked all participating stakeholders for their continued cooperation.
He thanks the citizens of Tshwane for their words of encouragement and support. He emphasizes that disruptive crime-combatting operations will continue across Tshwane.
Members of the public are encouraged to report suspicious activities to SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or via the My SAPS App.