More than 15,700 suspects have been arrested during the latest nationwide Operation Shanela II crime-fighting campaign, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has announced.
Police said 15,798 suspects were arrested during coordinated operations conducted with other law enforcement agencies and government departments between 27 July and 2 August 2026.
Among those arrested were 329 alleged drug dealers and 3,242 people found in possession of illegal drugs.
A major breakthrough came on 31 July when police seized cocaine worth an estimated R28 million at OR Tambo International Airport. The shipment had arrived on a flight from São Paulo, Brazil, and was intercepted by SAPS, Customs officials and Menzies Aviation personnel.
During the week-long operation, police also confiscated 153 illegal firearms, including handguns, rifles and shotguns. The Eastern Cape recorded the highest number of handgun recoveries (29), followed by KwaZulu-Natal (27) and the Western Cape (23).
Officers also recovered 86 stolen or hijacked vehicles.
In Johannesburg's CBD, the National Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit led a multi-agency raid that uncovered counterfeit goods worth more than R5 million. Eight people were also arrested for immigration-related offences following on-site inspections by the Department of Home Affairs.
Meanwhile, a separate series of raids carried out by the Gauteng Provincial Counterfeit Unit between 27 and 30 July resulted in the seizure of counterfeit and illicit goods valued at more than R27 million across Tshwane, Johannesburg, the West Rand and Sedibeng.
In the Eastern Cape, four suspects were arrested following an armed robbery at a jewellery store in Jeffreys Bay on 2 August.
In KwaZulu-Natal, the Mthunzini High Court sentenced five convicted criminals to two life sentences plus an additional 100 years for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. The convictions relate to a deadly robbery in KwaNongoma in November 2022.
In Mpumalanga, an intelligence-led operation by the Middelburg Flying Squad led to the arrest of a 40-year-old man and the recovery of a suspected stolen Toyota Hilux GD6 and stolen mining equipment.
In the North West, police arrested 27-year-old Lesotho national Thabiso Sholo Potsoko in connection with the Kanana tavern mass shooting, in which five people were killed and five others injured. The arrest followed a coordinated intelligence-driven operation involving several specialised police units.
In the Western Cape, Operation Prosper officers arrested two suspects during separate drug busts in crime hotspot areas. Police confiscated 139 mandrax tablets, 126 heroin straws and 61 packets of crystal meth from one suspect, while a second raid in Khayelitsha's New Monwabisi informal settlement uncovered additional crystal meth and mandrax tablets, leading to another arrest.
SAPS said the nationwide operations remain focused on removing dangerous criminals, illegal firearms, drugs and counterfeit goods from communities while strengthening public safety across South Africa.
Police said 15,798 suspects were arrested during coordinated operations conducted with other law enforcement agencies and government departments between 27 July and 2 August 2026.
Among those arrested were 329 alleged drug dealers and 3,242 people found in possession of illegal drugs.
A major breakthrough came on 31 July when police seized cocaine worth an estimated R28 million at OR Tambo International Airport. The shipment had arrived on a flight from São Paulo, Brazil, and was intercepted by SAPS, Customs officials and Menzies Aviation personnel.
During the week-long operation, police also confiscated 153 illegal firearms, including handguns, rifles and shotguns. The Eastern Cape recorded the highest number of handgun recoveries (29), followed by KwaZulu-Natal (27) and the Western Cape (23).
Officers also recovered 86 stolen or hijacked vehicles.
In Johannesburg's CBD, the National Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit led a multi-agency raid that uncovered counterfeit goods worth more than R5 million. Eight people were also arrested for immigration-related offences following on-site inspections by the Department of Home Affairs.
Meanwhile, a separate series of raids carried out by the Gauteng Provincial Counterfeit Unit between 27 and 30 July resulted in the seizure of counterfeit and illicit goods valued at more than R27 million across Tshwane, Johannesburg, the West Rand and Sedibeng.
In the Eastern Cape, four suspects were arrested following an armed robbery at a jewellery store in Jeffreys Bay on 2 August.
In KwaZulu-Natal, the Mthunzini High Court sentenced five convicted criminals to two life sentences plus an additional 100 years for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. The convictions relate to a deadly robbery in KwaNongoma in November 2022.
In Mpumalanga, an intelligence-led operation by the Middelburg Flying Squad led to the arrest of a 40-year-old man and the recovery of a suspected stolen Toyota Hilux GD6 and stolen mining equipment.
In the North West, police arrested 27-year-old Lesotho national Thabiso Sholo Potsoko in connection with the Kanana tavern mass shooting, in which five people were killed and five others injured. The arrest followed a coordinated intelligence-driven operation involving several specialised police units.
In the Western Cape, Operation Prosper officers arrested two suspects during separate drug busts in crime hotspot areas. Police confiscated 139 mandrax tablets, 126 heroin straws and 61 packets of crystal meth from one suspect, while a second raid in Khayelitsha's New Monwabisi informal settlement uncovered additional crystal meth and mandrax tablets, leading to another arrest.
SAPS said the nationwide operations remain focused on removing dangerous criminals, illegal firearms, drugs and counterfeit goods from communities while strengthening public safety across South Africa.