The weekly Joint Law Enforcement operations conducted under Operation Shanela II, have resulted in the arrest of suspects and the seizure of illegal contrabands, including illegal firearms, a variety of drugs, liquor and dangerous weapons. In the space of a week from Monday, 07 July 2025 to Sunday, 13 July 2025, a total of 894 suspects were arrested for a variety of crimes.
The suspects included 15 for murder, 19 for robberies, 11 for attempted murders, 21 for burglaries, 162 for assaults, five for illegal dealing of drugs, 178 for possession of drugs, 46 for selling of liquor without licences, 65 for driving under the influence of liquor, 14 for malicious damage to property and six for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
During these operations a total of 67 illegal migrants were apprehended for contravention of section 49 of the Immigration Act, Act 13 of 2002, and are currently being processed through the courts before being deported by the department of Home Affairs back to their countries.
411 out of the 894 arrested suspects were circulated wanted suspects after they were positively linked to the committed crimes through forensic DNA leads.
In Mahikeng information received were operationalized and a search warrant obtained. On Monday evening, 07 July 2025, Provincial Anti-Gang Unit, Provincial Proactive Drug Operations Unit and Mahikeng Public Order Policing (POP) effected the warrant at an identified house in Lonely Park. Police discovered a pistol with serial numbers filed off, ammunition and suspected crystal meth. Police immediately arrested 23-year-old Poloko Lentswana (23), who appeared before the Mmabatho Magistrates’ Court on charges of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition as well as possession of drugs on Wednesday, 09 July 2025. He was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on Tuesday, 15 July 2025.
The Acting Provincial Police Commissioner of the North West, Maj Gen Patrick Asaneng, said the arrests of these suspects as well as the confiscations of drugs, illicit liquor and unlicensed firearms are the results of the determined, steadfast, unrelenting and tireless efforts by District Commissioners through on-going intelligence led weekly high-density operations to combat and prevention serious and violent crimes. These targeted weekly Operation Shanela operations will continue not only to assert the authority of the State, but also to maintain public order, respect for peaceful co-existence and the rule of law by adopting a zero-tolerance approach to social fabric crimes and deviant behaviour caused by excessive drinking and use of drugs.
The public is advised to report crime at your nearest police station or anonymously through the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or the MySAPS application. Extortion-related incidents can be reported on the Extortion hotline on 080 091 1011.