Gauteng police arrest 1118 suspects in weekend operation

Gauteng police arrested 1118 suspects during a multidisciplinary weekend Operation Shanela campaign across the province, with 142 arrests linked to alleged driving under the influence of alcohol, Joburg ETC reports.

The operation ran across Gauteng’s five policing districts, with Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni leading a high-density operation in the Ivory Park policing precinct in Ekurhuleni on Saturday, 26 September.

#sapsGP [GAUTENG POLICE ARREST 1,118 SUSPECTS, INCLUDING 142 FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE DURING WEEKEND OPERATION SHANELA]

Gauteng police arrested 1,118 suspects, including 142 suspects for driving under the influence of alcohol, during the weekend’s multidisciplinary… pic.twitter.com/5lDeube3Zz

SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) September 28, 2026

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), a roadblock in the area resulted in 23 arrests involving people police said were illegally in the country. Nine people were arrested for allegedly driving under the influence, while 13 were arrested for suspected drug possession.

A maroon minibus was also impounded after officers allegedly discovered that its engine had been tampered with.

More than 150 arrests involve women and children cases

Gauteng detectives accounted for 677 arrests for various offences, including 154 suspects arrested in connection with crimes against women and children.

Operation Shanela has been running since May 2023 as a national high-density crime prevention initiative involving SAPS and partner agencies. Its tactics include roadblocks, stop-and-search operations, patrols and tracing wanted suspects.

SAPS said it remains committed to ‘ensuring the safety and security of all residents’ through continued crime prevention operations.