Johannesburg: AfricUpdate – News Desk
Nationwide Shanela II operations have led to the arrest of over 15 000 suspects, said the South African Police Service (SAPS). In a statement on Monday, the police said 15 763 suspects were arrested for various offences, including 2 133 wanted individuals who were tracked down in different parts of the country. The arrests were made between 8 and 14 September 2025.
“Also, among those arrested are 265 suspects apprehended for rape, of which 92 were circulated as wanted. Forty-one of these suspects were apprehended in Gauteng province,” said the police. Other arrests include 160 suspects arrested for murder. The majority were apprehended in the Western Cape (41), followed by the Eastern Cape (32) and Gauteng (30). A further 143 suspects were arrested for attempted murder, while 1 610 suspects were arrested for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH).
Over 1 000 suspects were arrested for dealing in drugs. Meanwhile, police seized 146 unlicensed firearms and 66 stolen and hijacked vehicles were recovered. An alleged hijacking suspect was fatally wounded during a shootout with the police and private security in KwaZulu-Natal’s the South Coast. Police seized a signal jammer and an unlicensed firearm, along with a stolen Quantum minibus taxi.
“Police also arrested a 26-year-old suspect in connection with a double murder that occurred in Wallacedene, Kraaifontein, in the early hours of Sunday morning (4 September).” Still in the Western Cape, police arrested a 24-year-old suspect, who allegedly murdered a man at the Athlone Magistrates Court last week.
The suspect was found admitted at a local hospital with gunshot wounds he sustained during a shootout with other gang members. The police said the arrests are a testament to the men and women in blue’s unwavering commitment to prevent and combat serious and violent crimes, adding that each arrest is step closer towards a safer South Africa for all.
