| 173 illegal immigrants nabbed during Operation Shanela conducted across the province | |
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| Date Published: | 2025/08/25 |
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Media Statement
POLOKWANE - A total number of 173 illegal immigrants were nabbed during the ongoing Operation Shanela conducted across the province. The operations commenced on Monday, 18 August 2025 to Sunday, 24 August 2025, and resulted in the apprehension of six hundred and thirty-two (632) suspects for various offenses. The operations were jointly executed with external law enforcement agencies from: ▶️ Department of Home Affairs, Traffic Police, South African Defence Force (SANDF), Department of Home Affairs and Social Development. These operations were conducted through stop and search, tracing of wanted suspects, high visibility patrols, roadblocks and vehicle check points. During the operation, significant arrests were affected as follows: ▶️05 illegal possession of firearms, 01 illegal possession of ammunition, 18 possession of dangerous weapons, 06 dealing in drugs, 01 failure to keep prescribed records at second hand dealers, 01 possession of illegal cigarettes, 17 illegal selling of liquor, 17 Contravention of Second-Hand Goods Act, 01 possession of counterfeit goods, 01 possession of gold bearing material, 03 possession of precious metals, 45 possession of drugs, 03 robbery with aggravating circumstances, 02 robbery business, 05 robbery residential, 03 murder, 02 attempted murder, 12 rape, 01 attempted rape, 50 assault grievous bodily harm (GBH), 59 assault common, 03 burglary business premises, 10 burglary residential, 01 theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle, 02 theft from a motor vehicle, 23 malicious damage to property, 37 driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, 173 Contravention of Immigration Act and 04 illicit mining. The following items were recovered during the operations: ▶️932,93 Liters of alcoholic beverages ▶️35 ammunition ▶️R61 in cash ▶️20 cell phones ▶️180 counterfeit goods ▶️21 dangerous weapons ▶️65,613 kilo grams of dagga ▶️05 firearms ▶️5,170 packets of tobacco products ▶️10 vehicles ▶️04 vessel parts and accessories Some of the arrested suspects have already started to appear before their local Magistrate court. "I compliment the men and women in blue, for their relentless efforts in ensuring that this province remains crime free, and they should continue to leave no stone unturned to bring criminals to justice" said Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe. Ends
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