KIMBERLEY – During the Festive Season period, the SAPS in the Northern Cape will continue to implement comprehensive strategies to address the anticipated risk of criminal activity associated with accelerated social activity through the execution of Operation Shanela II.
These multi-disciplinary actions conducted from 13 October 2025 until 19 October 2025 resulted in the arrest of 263 perpetrators
All stakeholders implemented an integrated approach, combining intelligence led actions with visible patrols to curb crime across all five districts.
Crime combatting measures included stop and search actions, vehicle check points, roadblocks and high visibility patrols.
A total of 7 831 individuals and 3 969 vehicles were stopped and searched, including the searching of numerous premises.
Police in the John Taolo Gaetswe District stopped and searched large passenger buses utilising national routes. Passengers and luggage were thoroughly searched to curb the transportation of drugs and other illicit products.
Compliance inspections were conducted at numerous second-hand dealers and liquor premises as well as formal and informal businesses, farms and scrapyards. These inspections led to the closing of 26 unlicensed liquor premises for non-compliance infringements.
Suspects were arrested for various crimes including, dealing in drugs, illegal dealing in liquor, possession of drugs, robbery, attempted murder, burglary, and assault GBH.
During the execution of the operations, police confiscated a substantial amount of alcohol, drugs, dangerous weapons, and copper cables.
Authorities continue to inhibit the possession of dangerous weapons, the abuse of substances and excessive consumption of alcohol as they lead to the commission of serious and violent crimes.
Ongoing community engagements and awareness programmes focusing on current crime trends were held in conjunction with community policing structures and government departments.
The success of the operation was made possible by collective action from all involved parties. A safer society can only be realised through cooperative action between the police, stakeholders and the community.
Operations will persist throughout the province to stabilise identified crime hotspot areas.
Operation Shanela II maintains law and order in the Northern Capehttps://t.co/xCztWJ7p4j#ArriveAlive #Crime @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/XwHy2t5FoO
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) October 19, 2025