The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Northern Cape remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors during the Festive Season through the implementation of targeted, intelligence-driven and coordinated operations across the province.
The Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, led high-impact operations in the Namakwa District, with a specific focus on combating illicit mining activities, drug trafficking, and enhancing road safety.
In the ZF Mgcawu District, the Deputy Minister of Police, Dr Polly Boshielo, conducted a focused oversight visit in Upington. The visit entailed an assessment of operational deployments, crime-combating strategies, and community engagement initiatives.
Senior officers across the province spearheaded disruptive operations in collaboration with relevant stakeholders from 15 December 2025 to 21 December 2025. These actions included stop-and-search operations, vehicle checkpoints, roadblocks, high-visibility patrols, and compliance inspections.
A total of 14 549 individuals and 6 606 vehicles were stopped and thoroughly searched, including searches conducted at numerous premises.
Compliance inspections were carried out at several second-hand goods dealers, liquor outlets, formal and informal businesses, farms, and scrapyards. These inspections resulted in the closure of 39 unlicensed liquor premises due to non-compliance. Police will continue to address the abuse and misuse of alcohol, which contributes significantly to the commission of serious and violent crimes.
A total of 383 suspects were arrested for various offences, including drug-related crimes, murder, attempted murder, and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH).
Detectives conducted more than 60 tracing operations, leading to the apprehension of suspects who had been evading arrest for a range of serious offences.
During the execution of these operations, police confiscated substantial quantities of alcohol, drugs, and dangerous weapons.
The Northern Cape SAPS will continue to conduct intensified operations across the province to restore stability and combat 2025 activities in identified hotspot areas, in close collaboration with stakeholders and local communities.
Northern Cape SAPS remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors during the Festive Season https://t.co/0YExmRAVUv#ArriveAlive #Crime @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/Z8HbgYS5Dj
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) December 21, 2025
