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Nearly 19,000 arrests mark a tough start to 2026 for SAPS
A heavy start to the year for crime fighters
South Africa’s new year has barely warmed up, and already the country’s police have sent a clear message. Crime will not be getting a free pass in 2026.
In just over a week, from 5 to 11 January, the South African Police Service arrested almost 19,000 suspects across the country. These arrests stemmed from coordinated national operations targeting everything from violent crime to drugs, illegal firearms, and human trafficking.
For many South Africans who entered the year weary from crime headlines, the scale of the operation has sparked a mix of relief, scepticism, and cautious optimism.
What police were targeting
According to SAPS, the arrests covered a wide spectrum of serious offences. These included murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, rape, assault, burglary, and drug trafficking. Alongside these arrests, police also tracked down more than 2,200 suspects who were already wanted for serious crimes such as murder, rape, sexual assault, robbery, and car hijackings.
The operations also resulted in the seizure of unlicensed weapons and dangerous materials. Police confiscated more than 130 firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and nearly 180 explosives. For communities that have long complained about illegal guns circulating freely, this detail stood out sharply.
Gauteng in the spotlight
Gauteng featured prominently in the week’s operations. In Roodepoort, police arrested a 36-year-old man after uncovering two unlicensed rifles, including an AK-47, along with a magazine and over 80 rounds of ammunition. The arrest followed intelligence-driven searches by specialised police units, and the suspect is expected to face court on firearms charges.
In Johannesburg’s CBD and surrounding areas, police also rescued ten teenage boys during a joint operation involving SAPS, JMPD, private security, and the Hawks trafficking unit. Eight teens were found walking half-naked in Mulbarton, while two more were recovered after a high-speed chase involving a VW Jetta. A foreign national was arrested and now faces charges linked to illegal immigration and suspected human trafficking.
Elsewhere in Gauteng, another foreign national was arrested in Malvern East after police discovered military explosives in his possession. He is due to appear in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court.
From Limpopo to KZN, operations intensify
In Limpopo, Operation Shanela II led to the arrest of more than 800 suspects. Police recovered firearms, ammunition, and drugs while also detaining undocumented foreign nationals. High visibility patrols, roadblocks, and inspections formed part of the province’s intensified approach.
Near the Beitbridge Border Post, SANDF patrols intercepted suspects carrying blasting cartridges and safety fuses. One suspect escaped, while another was arrested and is expected to appear in court in Musina.
In North West, police arrested four suspects in the Rustenburg and Marikana areas for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. One of the suspects is reportedly linked to a murder case dating back to 2025.
KwaZulu-Natal saw one of the most dramatic incidents of the week. In Inanda, police fatally shot five wanted suspects during a shootout. The men were linked to serious crimes, including attacks on police officers. Officers were unharmed, and four firearms were recovered at the scene.
Drugs, dagga fields, and festive season policing
In Mpumalanga, police uncovered and destroyed a dagga field valued at nearly R3 million near Schoemansdal. The discovery was made during Operation Safer Festive Season, which has now spilled over into the new year as police maintain pressure on organised crime networks.
How the public is reacting
On social media, reactions have ranged from praise to pointed questions. Some South Africans welcomed the show of force, saying it was the kind of visible policing they wanted to see more often. Others questioned whether the arrests would translate into successful prosecutions and long-term safety.
The early 2026 figures have reopened familiar debates around policing, resources, and the criminal justice system. Still, the sheer scale of the operations has set a firm tone for the year ahead.
A tough tone for 2026
Whether this momentum can be sustained remains to be seen. What is clear is that SAPS has started the year with an aggressive stance, signalling that nationwide operations and intelligence-driven policing will continue.
For communities living with daily crime fears, these first weeks of 2026 may not solve everything, but they suggest a renewed push to reclaim some ground.
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Source: The Citizen
Featured Image: Randall, McClenney, Daniels & Dunn, PC
