Gauteng police arrest 1,154 people in weekend Operation Shanela II crackdown

Gauteng police arrested 1,154 suspects during a province-wide weekend crackdown known as Operation Shanela II, authorities said. The operation targeted crime hotspots with coordinated enforcement by multiple law-enforcement agencies.

Scope and main figures

The South African Police Service (SAPS) reported that the weekend operation produced 1,154 arrests. Those taken into custody included people linked to serious crimes, immigration offences, drug possession and alleged drunk driving.

Police said 110 motorists were arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, and 160 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act.

Detective operations and crimes against vulnerable people

Detective units accounted for a large portion of the arrests, with 786 suspects apprehended during targeted detective operations. Of these, 162 were arrested for crimes against women and children, according to police.

Pretoria West roadblock and local results

Gauteng Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana led a high-density operation in Atteridgeville and Pretoria West policing precincts. At a roadblock in Pretoria West police arrested 67 people for allegedly being in the country illegally. The Pretoria West operation also saw 32 motorists arrested for alleged drunk driving and 18 suspects arrested for possession of drugs.

Additional arrests at the Pretoria West operation included one person allegedly employing an undocumented foreign national, one allegedly harbouring undocumented people, and a security officer allegedly found in possession of a firearm without a valid licence or permit.

Enforcement beyond arrests

Authorities also targeted liquor outlets and traffic compliance. Police closed 10 liquor outlets for alleged non-compliance with the Liquor Act, and traffic officials issued fines for various offences during the operation.

Multidisciplinary approach

“The operation was conducted through a multidisciplinary approach involving SAPS, the Department of Home Affairs, traffic law-enforcement agencies, Community Policing Forums (CPFs), Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens and private security companies,” Sibeko said.

SAPS spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said Operation Shanela II “demonstrates the commitment of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and its multidisciplinary law-enforcement partners to combat criminality, ensure public safety and enforce compliance with the law in communities across Gauteng”.

Ongoing operations

Police said similar crime-prevention operations will continue across the province as part of efforts to reduce crime and maintain law and order.