| SAPS arrests 16 542 including 2 393 wanted criminals, seizes 145 illegal firearms and contraband goods worth more than R1 million during nationwide operations | |
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| Date Published: | |
| 02/MAR/26 | |
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Media Statement PRETORIA - The South African Police Service (SAPS), through this week’s Shanela operations, struck hard against crime; leading to the arrest of 16 542 suspects for various crimes between 23 February and 01 March 2026. Among those arrested were 2 393 wanted criminals across multiple provinces linked to murder, attempted murder, rape, assault GBH, carjacking, illegal possession of firearms, house and business robberies In ridding our communities of lethal weapons, police seized 145 firearms—including homemade guns, rifles, and shotguns—and confiscated 1,402 rounds of ammunition. 101 suspects were arrested for the illegal possession of firearms as well as 92 suspects for Illegal possession of ammunition. In dismantling illicit alcohol sales, 789 suspects were arrested for illegally dealing in liquor, with a staggering 20,820 litres of alcohol removed from society. This menace continues to fuel violence and disorder in our communities. In addition, 749 suspects were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Within this week, on 28 February 2026, members of the Tactical Response Team (TRT) executed intelligence-driven operation in Pilgrim’s Rest resulted in the arrest of two Mozambican nationals, aged 25, on charges of possession of illegal possession of precious metals ( illicit gold) valued at R3 million. Furthermore, two suspects linked to cast-in- transit robbery in Verulam on Monday, 23 February 2026, were shot and killed in a shootout with police in Edendale, KZN on 24 February 2026. Police seized three firearms, two rifles and a handgun and several rounds of ammunition as well as numerous number plates on the scene. ARRESTS EFFECTED * 174 suspects arrested for murder and 160 for attempted murder * 184 suspects arrested for rape and 10 for sexual offences * 1 616 suspects arrested for assault (GBH ). * 13 suspects arrested for Carjacking. * 1 651 arrested for illegal migration * 2 459 suspects arrested for possession of drugs * 272 suspects for dealing in drugs * 427 for possession of dangerous weapons
CONFISCATIONS AND RECOVERIES: * Contraband goods worth more than R1million illegally imported items recovered * 2 362 kg of copper cables recovered. * 142 215 over of Counterfeit goods confiscated * 973 Dangerous weapons seized * 12 227 grams of drugs: crystal meth confiscated * 76 338 drugs of mandrax (tablets) confiscated * Vehicles: 75 recovered, alongside 58 vehicle parts and accessories
NATIONAL – Cape Town, on 27 February 2026, a 41-year-old convicted drug trafficker wanted by Interpol was arrested at his home by the SAPS National Intervention Unit(NIU) in Cape Town. Stanislav Stamenov , a Bulgarian national, was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment in Romania in 2009 but fled the country shortly after. He was part of a large criminal organised group involved in the trafficking of Heroin into Romania. * MPUMALANGA: Operation Vala Umgodi struck at Joe’s Luck near Barberton on 27 February 2026, netting five suspects aged 24 to 37 for tampering with railway infrastructure. Police, supported by the NIU and TRT, intercepted the group after spotting a taxi offloading men into the bushes. Nine suspects fled, but five were arrested, including a woman allegedly cooking and guarding stolen steel. Officers confiscated digging bars, hammers, spanners, pipes, and 269 one metre railway tracks, later handed back to Transnet. * GAUTENG- SAPS Gauteng Highway Patrol members arrested five suspects and rescued a hijacked victim following a shooting incident in Midrand on Friday, 27 February 2026. Two firearms were recovered inside the vehicle and will be subjected to ballistic testing as part of the ongoing investigation. * WESTERN CAPE – RAVENSMEAD: The Anti-Gang Unit uncovered a steel box buried under concrete in a Ravensmead home, containing firearms, ammunition, explosives, laptops, and even a Claymore mine. A 51-year-old suspect was arrested after returning to the premises and will appear in Goodwood Magistrate’s Court on 02 March 2026. The case is under investigation by Provincial Organised Crime Detectives. * WESTERN CAPE – BEAUFORT WEST: Members of the Central Karoo Flying Squad and K 9 units intercepted a truck from Gauteng on 27 February 2026, seizing drugs worth more than R3.3 million. The haul included 3.36kg of tik, 22,000 mandrax tablets, and 131.5kg of high-grade dagga. The driver and passenger, foreign nationals aged 38 and 41, were arrested for dealing in drugs and will appear in Beaufort West Magistrate’s Court on 02 March 2026. * KWAZULU-NATAL: Durban, 25 February 2026 – Lamontville police arrested two suspects, aged 38 and 55, after uncovering a dagga cultivation laboratory directly opposite a high school on Ngobese Road. Social Crime Prevention members, conducting a routine school visit, noticed suspicious activity at a nearby house. Investigations revealed learners were allegedly being supplied with dagga. A search of the property exposed a fully operational laboratory with plants, purifiers, extractor fans, packaging containers, and an instruction board. Ends
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