Tag: South African Police Service

R5.85 million worth of drugs seized on N1 near Beaufort West

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Swift action following intelligence about a consignment of illicit drugs has resulted in the seizure of drugs worth an estimated R5.85 million on the N1 near Beaufort West.

On Thursday, 10 September 2026, at about 10:40pm, members of the Western Cape Organised Crime Investigations, Crime Intelligence and Beaufort West police conducted an intelligence-driven operation on the N1.

Police intercepted and searched a vehicle, where they discovered 57,000 Mandrax tablets and five kilograms of cocaine.

The 46-year-old driver was arrested and charged with dealing in drugs. He remains in police custody and is expected to appear in the Beaufort West Magistrates' Court on Monday, 14 September.

Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Sizakhele Dyantyi praised the police teams for their efforts to prevent illicit drugs from reaching vulnerable communities in the province.

SAPS honours fallen police officers

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
As part of the build-up to SAPS Commemoration Day, which will be held at the Union Buildings on Sunday, the South African Police Service (SAPS) will honour 12 police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting the people of South Africa.

On Monday, the SAPS paid tribute to the late Sergeant Sello Raymond Sema, who was stationed at Norkem Park Police Station and was killed in the line of duty on 29 October 2025.

Every year on 1 September, the nation remembers police officers who have lost their lives in the service and protection of the public.

The names of the fallen officers have been engraved on the SAPS Memorial Wall at the Union Buildings as a lasting symbol of gratitude for their sacrifice.

Call for Increased Patrols at Garden Route Dam After Latest Attack

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
The FF Plus is urgently calling on the police and George municipal law enforcement services to immediately increase visibility and patrols at the Garden Route Dam.

The dam is a popular recreational area where residents and visitors walk, jog and cycle. The latest incident, in which a 22-year-old woman was approached from behind and grabbed around the neck while walking alone to her vehicle, highlights the serious safety risks in the area.

Several incidents in recent times indicate that the current level of visibility is insufficient. The FF Plus is requesting increased patrols at the dam and along the surrounding routes, and that all incidents continue to be reported so that crime patterns can be identified and addressed.

However, the solution cannot be for people to stay away from the dam out of fear. When residents avoid public spaces, it becomes easier for criminals to take control of them.

Visitors are instead encouraged to act responsibly, move in groups where possible and remain vigilant.

"Tourism is an important pillar of George’s economy and supports numerous businesses and jobs. The town cannot afford for a valuable tourism and recreational area to develop a reputation for being unsafe," the FF Plus said in a statement.

The political party is calling on all stakeholders to work together to make the Garden Route Dam safer, so that residents and visitors can enjoy it with greater peace of mind.

Photo by Wessel Van Heerden Photography

Western Cape teenager to appear in court over alleged possession of child sexual abuse material

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
A 16-year-old teenager has been arrested in Malmesbury, Western Cape, for allegedly accessing, possessing, facilitating and downloading child sexual abuse material.

The teenager is expected to appear in the Malmesbury Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday following his arrest on Monday in an operation involving the South African Police Service (SAPS) and international law enforcement agencies.

SAPS said several child victims have been identified as part of the investigation.

“A preliminary on-site analysis of the suspect’s electronic devices uncovered explicit images and videos depicting child sexual abuse and animal mutilation,” police said.

The devices will undergo a full forensic examination to establish the extent of the alleged offences. Investigators are also probing possible charges linked to fraud and money laundering.

The investigation was launched after the SAPS National Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Team received intelligence from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the US Embassy and the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

The intelligence reportedly linked the teenager to “764”, a violent international online network associated with child exploitation and the coercion of minors into sexual abuse, animal torture and other criminal activity.

Following an extensive investigation, the National SECI Team traced the suspect to an address in Malmesbury, where he was arrested.

The operation was supported by SAPS Head Office’s Occult Unit, the Paarl Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, the Paarl K9 Unit and the Western Cape Crime Scene Investigation Unit.

Agents from the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) at the US Embassy also assisted in the operation.

The investigation is continuing, with forensic analysis expected to determine whether further victims or offences can be identified.

R310,000 Worth of Dagga Seized in Prince Albert Bus Operation

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
SAPS members in the Central Karoo have arrested a 50-year-old woman after dagga worth an estimated R310,000 was discovered aboard a passenger bus in Prince Albert.

The arrest followed a vehicle checkpoint conducted by the Central Karoo Flying Squad along Prince Albert Road at about 06:55 on Saturday, 8 August 2026.

Police stopped and searched a passenger bus, where they discovered a suitcase containing 38.70kg of dagga. The drugs were positively linked to the woman, who was arrested on a charge of dealing in drugs.

She is expected to appear in the Prince Albert Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 11 August 2026.

More than 660 litres of liquor seized

Meanwhile, police operations in the Garden Route District also resulted in the seizure of more than 660 litres of liquor from an unlicensed liquor outlet in De Rust.

Later on Saturday at about 21:10, Dysselsdorp police conducted a sting operation in Dahlia Street, Dysselsdorp, outside Oudtshoorn.

Officers confiscated 62 crates of beer and 20 containers filled with liquor. A 57-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly selling liquor without a licence. She is expected to appear in court once formally charged.

Police target illicit goods

SAPS says the strategic deployment of Flying Squad members along entry and exit routes into the region will continue as part of efforts to prevent illicit drugs and alcohol from entering the province.

The district commissioners commended police members for their vigilance in tackling drug- and alcohol-related offences and working to improve safety in the Central Karoo and Garden Route.

Over 15,700 Suspects Arrested in Nationwide SAPS Crime Crackdown

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
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.

SAPS Seizes R28 Million Cocaine Shipment at OR Tambo International Airport

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has seized 95kg of cocaine worth an estimated R28 million at OR Tambo International Airport in a major drug bust targeting international drug trafficking.

Police said the cocaine was intercepted on Friday during an intelligence-led operation after SAPS Crime Intelligence's Border Integrity Unit received information about a suspected drug shipment.

The operation involved SAPS Visible Policing officers at OR Tambo International Airport, Customs officials and Menzies Aviation staff.

The cocaine was found in cargo that arrived on a flight from São Paulo, Brazil, shortly after 1pm. Officers seized the 95kg shipment before it could leave the airport.

No arrests have been made, but police have launched an investigation to identify and arrest those behind the attempted drug smuggling operation.

SAPS said the successful operation highlights its ongoing efforts to combat organised crime, drug trafficking and cross-border smuggling. Police added that they will continue working with law enforcement partners to protect South Africa's borders and ports of entry from criminal exploitation.
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