Johannesburg: SiltaNews – News Desk
The police in the province and other law enforcement agencies have during the last two weeks, from Monday, 8 December 2025 to Sunday, 21 December 2025, arrested 1 941 suspects during high density Operation Shanela 2 Safer Festive Season operations.
The suspects were arrested for different crimes that included murder, rape, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) and common, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, dealing in drugs, dealing in liquor and, possession of drugs, among others. Furthermore, 287 suspects were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, while 83 illegal immigrants were taken in for processing.
Out of the 1 941 arrested suspects, 848 were arrested by the Detectives as being on the circulated wanted suspects’ lists.
The operations also addressed identified crime generators through Joint Law Enforcement compliance inspections to enforce the provisions of the Liquor and Second-Hand Goods Acts. As a result, 59 unlicensed liquor outlets (shebeens) were closed, and large quantities of liquor were confiscated. In addition, the operations led to the confiscation of 16 firearms, 255 rounds of ammunition, a variety of drugs, dangerous weapons, explosives, precious metals and tobacco products.
During a Safer Festive Season Operation conducted in Potchefstroom on Friday, 20 December 2025, supported by Provincial personnel, the following successes were achieved:
An illegal Immigrant (Nigerian) was arrested for dealing in drugs and contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002. An illegal substance suspected to be crystal meth with an estimated street value of R10 800.00, was confiscated. During a roadblock, four road traffic fines were issued, and 20 second-hand goods dealers were visited for compliance inspections.