More than 200 suspects have been arrested in the Northern Cape during Operation Shanela for offences including murder, rape, fraud and assault. Provincial police also confiscated thousands of litres of alcohol and drugs in compliance inspections across five districts.
Provincial Police spokesperson Molefi Shemane confirmed the arrests formed part of ongoing coordinated operations. Activities included vehicle control points, roadblocks, stop and search operations, tracing of wanted suspects, and patrols at liquor outlets, second-hand goods dealers, farms, mines and businesses.
Shemane stated that 4 303 individuals and 2 088 vehicles were stopped and searched at vehicle control points and roadblocks across the province. The operations are part of the sustained implementation of Operation Shanela II by police in the Northern Cape.
The arrests and seizures occurred in the days leading up to the report published on 26 July 2026.
