| 16 733 suspects arrested for various crimes; illicit cigarettes worth more than R41m, copper and metal worth R20m, and 138 unlicensed firearms seized during week-long Shanela operations | |
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| Date Published: | |
| 2026/09/07 | |
| Description Details: | |
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Media Statement PRETORIA - The South African Police Service (SAPS) continues to intensify its nationwide crackdown on crime through high-density Shanela Operations conducted between 31 August and 06 September 2026. The week-long operations targeted violent crime, illicit trade, drug trafficking, immigration offences, illegal firearms, and other offences, resulting in the arrest of 16 733 suspects, including 2 520 wanted individuals linked to serious and violent crimes. INTENSIFIED CRACKDOWN ON DRUG TRAFFICKING SAPS intensified its crackdown on drug-related offences, arresting 273 suspected drug dealers and 3 203 suspects for possession of drugs. In another breakthrough, a 62-year-old man was arrested following the discovery of a suspected clandestine drug-manufacturing operation on a farm in Klipvoorstad, near Jericho, on Wednesday, 02 September 2026. This is the third crystal meth laboratory uncovered in less than four months. At OR Tambo International Airport, SAPS arrested a 54-year-old South African drug mule and seized suspected cocaine concealed in his luggage. The suspect was intercepted while en route to Hong Kong. ILLICIT AND COUNTERFEIT GOODS WORTH MILLIONS SEIZED Law enforcement agencies dealt a significant blow to illicit trade and counterfeit goods, arresting 22 suspects and seizing contraband goods worth more than R4 million in Gauteng and Mpumalanga. In addition, the Hawks and Customs seized illicit and counterfeit cigarettes worth more than R41 million during a joint operation in Durban on 02 September 2026. Police also intercepted a truck and discovered suspected stolen copper and metal worth R20 million, allegedly linked to Telkom and Eskom. Three suspects were arrested in Algoa Park, Gqeberha, as part of Operation Ukubuza. On 06 September 2026, SAPS observed National Commemoration Day at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, paying tribute to twelve members who lost their lives in the line of duty between April 2025 and March 2026. Delivering her keynote address, Acting National Commissioner of SAPS, Lt General Puleng Dimpane, emphasised that the day was both a solemn remembrance and a renewed call to intensify the fight against police killings. She noted that in the past year, 20 suspects had been arrested and 11 convicted for the murder of SAPS members and urged the judiciary to impose harsher sentences on perpetrators. General Dimpane further called on officers to remain vigilant, particularly in high-crime provinces such as Gauteng, and reminded members to look after one another as they continue to serve communities under increasingly dangerous conditions. OTHER MAJOR ARRESTS ACROSS PROVINCES • 154 for murder • 121 for attempted murder • 125 for rape • 108 for illegal possession of firearms • 23 for human trafficking • 1 495 for assault GBH • 658 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs • 1 594 for illegal migration Confiscations included 138 unlicensed firearms, 2 329 rounds of ammunition, and 49 hijacked or stolen vehicles.
TAKEDOWN SUCCESSES AND HIGHLIGHTS: NATIONAL: 03 September 2026: The Gauteng Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) arrested an eighth suspect believed to be the mastermind behind illegal electricity connections and the theft of critical infrastructure at the Emfuleni Local Municipality. The suspect, re-arrested shortly after being released on bail in an unrelated matter, faces charges of theft, damage to critical infrastructure, theft of critical infrastructure, and money laundering. In a separate operation, a 40-year-old supplier was arrested in connection with an alleged R16 million fleet tender awarded by the Emfuleni Local Municipality. The municipality procured and paid for 18 vehicles, including municipal trucks, but only seven were delivered. The suspect is expected to appear before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court on Monday, 07 September 2026, on charges of corruption, fraud, and theft. NORTH WEST – POTCHEFSTROOM: 01 September 2026: An intelligence-driven operation in Klipgat resulted in the arrest of a 49-year-old suspect and the seizure of firearms, ammunition, suspected stolen property, and SAPS uniform items. Police recovered a 9 mm pistol with its serial number filed off, two modified blank firearms, 115 live rounds of ammunition, laptops, cellphones, copper cable, and SAPS-related equipment. GAUTENG – JOHANNESBURG: 02 September 2026: Gauteng police, supported by the SANDF and the Sibanye-Stillwater Tactical Security Team, arrested more than 26 suspected illegal miners during an overnight Operation Prosper raid near a mine. Four firearms, including three AK-47 rifles and one Uzi, together with 240 rounds of ammunition, illegal mining equipment, and gold dust, were recovered. One suspect was fatally wounded after allegedly firing at law enforcement officers. EASTERN CAPE – GQEBERHA: 02 September 2026: SAPS, the Anti-Gang Unit, and the SANDF recovered three rifles and 179 rounds of rifle ammunition during an Operation Prosper raid in Chatty. LIMPOPO – MUSINA: 04 September 2026: Operation Retshepeng, led by Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba, resulted in multiple arrests and confiscations, including dagga valued at R525 000 and the detention of 62 undocumented foreign nationals. FREE STATE – FOURIESBURG: 04 September 2026: Police arrested 12 suspects, including 10 foreign nationals, following a mob justice incident at Mashaeng Commonage where a foreign national shepherd was beaten to death after allegations of livestock theft. MPUMALANGA – NELSPRUIT: 05 September 2026: Three suspects, aged between 20 and 38, were traced and arrested in connection with several ATM bombing cases reported in Leslie, Embalenhle, Bethal, Witbank, Vosman, and Phola. The suspects are expected to appear before the Evander Magistrate's Court on Monday, 07 September 2026. WESTERN CAPE: 03 September 2026: A 44-year-old man was arrested in connection with the murder of four men whose bodies were found burnt beyond recognition in a field in Du Noon.He is expected to appear before the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on Monday, 07 September 2026, on four counts of murder. Ends
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