The South African Police Service (SAPS) says its nationwide SHANELA II operations have resulted in the arrest of 17 044 suspects between 6 and 12 April 2026, including 2 588 wanted individuals.
Police say they are continuing to clamp down on drug-related crimes, with 282 alleged drug dealers arrested across the country. A further 3 461 suspects were arrested for possession of drugs, with 2 043 of those arrests recorded in the Western Cape.
Among the major breakthroughs was a R2 million drug bust in Cotswold in Gqeberha, where a foreign national was arrested for possession of drugs. In Gauteng, the Organised Crime Investigation Unit uncovered a suspected drug laboratory in Sandton on 12 April, seizing chemicals, equipment and products valued at R1.5 million.
Other arrests during the operation include 162 for murder, 146 for rape, and 68 for armed robbery. Police also arrested 534 suspects for possession of dangerous weapons, 93 for illegal possession of ammunition, and 1 444 for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
In addition, 952 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, while 1 037 suspects were arrested for illegal dealing in liquor. Police also detained 1 272 illegal immigrants and made 22 arrests related to human trafficking.
During the same period, police confiscated 122 unlicensed firearms, including 36 handguns recovered in KwaZulu-Natal, along with 3 571 rounds of ammunition. A total of 48 stolen or hijacked vehicles were also recovered, while various drugs and other illicit goods were seized.
Provincial operations also yielded significant results. In Gauteng, a Highway Patrol team intercepted a white Toyota Corolla linked to an attempted armed robbery near a Sandton hotel on 9 April.
Following a high-speed chase, one suspect was arrested and police recovered two unlicensed firearms, ammunition and gloves. The vehicle was later confirmed to have been hijacked in Daveyton in February.
In the Free State, twelve suspects were arrested in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District for crimes including murder, attempted murder, rape, illegal possession of firearms and drug-related offences. Six of the suspects are linked to multiple murders across Nketoana, Setsoto, Maluti-a-Phofung and Phumelela municipalities.
In the Western Cape, police intensified operations in Hout Bay, Khayelitsha and Mitchell’s Plain, leading to the arrest of suspects linked to extortion and a mass shooting, as well as the seizure of firearms.
Mpumalanga police arrested four suspects in Nelspruit on 10 April in connection with a courier hijacking. The Ehlanzeni Anti-Hijacking Team also recovered illegal firearms during the operation.
In Limpopo, police arrested five suspects on 11 April as part of an investigation into a high-profile fraud and unlawful traditional leadership case in Moletjie, linked to claims of kingship by Abram Kgabo Matabola.
SAPS says operations will continue as part of ongoing efforts to combat crime across the country.
Police say they are continuing to clamp down on drug-related crimes, with 282 alleged drug dealers arrested across the country. A further 3 461 suspects were arrested for possession of drugs, with 2 043 of those arrests recorded in the Western Cape.
Among the major breakthroughs was a R2 million drug bust in Cotswold in Gqeberha, where a foreign national was arrested for possession of drugs. In Gauteng, the Organised Crime Investigation Unit uncovered a suspected drug laboratory in Sandton on 12 April, seizing chemicals, equipment and products valued at R1.5 million.
Other arrests during the operation include 162 for murder, 146 for rape, and 68 for armed robbery. Police also arrested 534 suspects for possession of dangerous weapons, 93 for illegal possession of ammunition, and 1 444 for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
In addition, 952 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, while 1 037 suspects were arrested for illegal dealing in liquor. Police also detained 1 272 illegal immigrants and made 22 arrests related to human trafficking.
During the same period, police confiscated 122 unlicensed firearms, including 36 handguns recovered in KwaZulu-Natal, along with 3 571 rounds of ammunition. A total of 48 stolen or hijacked vehicles were also recovered, while various drugs and other illicit goods were seized.
Provincial operations also yielded significant results. In Gauteng, a Highway Patrol team intercepted a white Toyota Corolla linked to an attempted armed robbery near a Sandton hotel on 9 April.
Following a high-speed chase, one suspect was arrested and police recovered two unlicensed firearms, ammunition and gloves. The vehicle was later confirmed to have been hijacked in Daveyton in February.
In the Free State, twelve suspects were arrested in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District for crimes including murder, attempted murder, rape, illegal possession of firearms and drug-related offences. Six of the suspects are linked to multiple murders across Nketoana, Setsoto, Maluti-a-Phofung and Phumelela municipalities.
In the Western Cape, police intensified operations in Hout Bay, Khayelitsha and Mitchell’s Plain, leading to the arrest of suspects linked to extortion and a mass shooting, as well as the seizure of firearms.
Mpumalanga police arrested four suspects in Nelspruit on 10 April in connection with a courier hijacking. The Ehlanzeni Anti-Hijacking Team also recovered illegal firearms during the operation.
In Limpopo, police arrested five suspects on 11 April as part of an investigation into a high-profile fraud and unlawful traditional leadership case in Moletjie, linked to claims of kingship by Abram Kgabo Matabola.
SAPS says operations will continue as part of ongoing efforts to combat crime across the country.
