STELLALANDER-DELAREYVILLE: The High Density Safer Festive Season Operation Shanela 2 in the North West Province has resulted in over 1 000 arrests for various crimes, as SAPS, in collaboration with other stakeholders, continued efforts to ensure the safety of communities across all five districts.
The weekly operations, conducted from Monday, 19 January to Sunday, 25 January 2026, included vehicle checkpoints, stop-and-search operations, roadblocks, tracing of wanted suspects, foot and vehicle patrols, and compliance inspections across the province.
A total of 1 083 suspects were arrested for crimes including drug dealing, illegal liquor trade, robbery, murder, rape, assault (GBH and common), residential and business burglaries, theft from or of motor vehicles, malicious damage to property, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and possession of illegal migrants. Detectives also successfully traced and apprehended 268 wanted suspects for serious crimes such as murder, rape, assault GBH, and illegal possession of firearms. In a notable incident in Delareyville, police acted on intelligence regarding suspects in possession of unlicensed firearms, reportedly involved in a series of robberies. On Friday, 23 January, at approximately 22:00, the provincial Tracing Task Team, Lichtenburg K9 Unit, and Mahikeng Crime Intelligence intercepted the suspects when their vehicle, a red Volkswagen Polo, suffered a puncture on the road between Delareyville and Vrisgewaagte. Four suspects, Kegomoditswe Samuel Mooketsi (28), Mangaliso Godfrey Tubatsi (31), Falakhe James Khumalo (30), and Letlhogonolo Christopher Mosala (34), were arrested. A search of the vehicle revealed four firearms with serial numbers filed off and 22 rounds of ammunition. All four appeared in Delareyville Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 26 January 2026, and were remanded in custody pending a formal bail application scheduled for Tuesday, 10 February 2026. Investigations are ongoing, with authorities working to link the suspects to other cases. Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo praised officers for their professionalism and dedication during the Shanela 2 operations, stressing that SAPS will continue to pursue criminals and ensure justice is served.
