15 August 2025
Klerksdorp Record, Klerksdorp - The weekly Joint Law Enforcement operations under Operation Shanela 2, focusing on enhanced crime prevention and combating and conducted between July 28 and August 3, across the province, led to the apprehension of 1 310 suspects.
Brig Sabata Mokgwabone, police spokesperson, said through the execution of actions such as vehicle check points (VCPs), stops and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections at second-hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses and farms; 17kg of copper cables, four firearms, 28 rounds of ammunition, 14 cell phones, tobacco products, a variety of drugs and liquor were seized.
“Furthermore, the operations, which were led by commissioned officers, resulted in the apprehension of 55 illegal migrants. 346 out of the 1 310 arrests
were for wanted suspects who were linked to crimes committed, through forensic DNA leads.”
The arrests, among others, included the following:
* 41 for rape and attempted rape
* 309 for assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm
* 38 for burglary, business and residential
* 36 for murder and attempted murder
* 55 for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
* 62 for possession of drugs and 20 for illegal dealing in liquor.
The Acting Provincial Police Commissioner of NW, Major General Patrick Asaneng, indicated that it is clear from the high numbers of arrests and confiscations of contrabands such as illicit cigarettes, drugs and unlicensed firearms and ammunition that the Weekly High Density Joint Law Enforcement and Intelligence led Shanela Operations led by
the South African Police Service (SAPS), are systemically diminishing the high levels of rampant serious and violent crimes especially in the identified High Contact and Priority Crime stations.
