Police operations conducted across the five districts of the Northern Cape during the Safer Easter #OperationPaseka, which ran concurrently with #OperationShanela2 from 13 April 2026 to 19 April 2026, resulted in the arrest of 567 suspects.
The arrests relate to contact crimes, property-related offences, and police-initiated actions during intensified high-density operations.
A range of crime prevention activities-including vehicle checkpoints (VCPs), stop-and-search operations, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, and tracing operations, were executed by multi-disciplinary teams within the security cluster.
As a result of these operations, 2 989 vehicles and 6 687 individuals were stopped and searched at vehicle checkpoints and roadblocks conducted throughout the province.
Compliance inspections were carried out at second-hand goods dealers, firearm dealers, liquor outlets, formal and informal businesses, mines, and farms.
During these inspections several unlicensed liquor outlets were shut down due to non-compliance.
Police also heightened visibility through patrols at truck stops, fuel stations, identified hotspot areas, shopping complexes, and malls.
Detectives successfully traced and arrested numerous wanted suspects who had been evading arrest across the province.
Significant quantities of alcohol, drugs, dangerous weapons, ammunition, cash, cellphones, copper cables, furniture, and jewellery were confiscated during disruptive operations in identified crime hotspots.
Community engagement initiatives were also undertaken to create awareness.
A Community #Imbizo was held at Sunrise in De Aar that was attended by the Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Thabo Mphuthi, alongside the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Policing, Major General Johnny Besnaar and the Pixley Ka Seme District Commissioner, Major General Nomana Mtukushe.
Additionally, the “Sport Against Crime ” initiative was officiated by Major General Mtukushe, to strengthen partnerships between the police and the community through sport.
Operation Paseka concluded on 15 April 2026, however, operations under Operation Shanela II will continue unabated across the province.
Major General (Dr) Mphuthi expressed appreciation to the Provincial Management, District Commissioners, Station Commanders, and all SAPS members for their dedication and tireless efforts during the Safer Easter period and Operation Shanela II in ensuring the safety of communities.
#fightingcrime #PartnershipPolicing #CommunityPolicing
