POLOKWANE – A total number of 823 suspects were apprehended by SAPS members in Limpopo, following a high-density Shanela conducted across the five districts.
The operation commenced on Monday, 20 October, and ended on Sunday, 26 October 2025, and was jointly executed with other law enforcement agencies consisting of members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Traffic Police, the Department of Home Affairs, Correctional Services, and the Department of Mineral and Energy, including the Community Policing Forum and Youth Desk.
The operations were conducted through roadblocks, vehicle searches, high-visibility patrols, roadblocks, and cordon and searches.
The suspects were arrested for offenses that included illegal dealing in liquor, possession of dangerous weapons, possession of illegal cigarettes, rape, assault, GBH, and contravention of the Immigration Act.
The operations yielded positive results, and success was attained as follows:
▶️ 04 Illegal possession of firearms,
▶️09 possession of dangerous weapons,
▶️08 possession of drugs,
▶️ 17 Rape,
▶️05 Murder,
▶️03 Attempted murder,
▶️ 05 Robbery,
▶️144 Illegal migrants,
▶️14 Driving under the influence of alcohol,
▶️ 11 Burglary (Residential),
▶️ 05 Burglary at Business Premises,
▶️ 08 Robbery aggravating ( Armed robbery),
▶️05 Robbery residence,
▶️56 Assault GBH
The following items were confiscated during the operation:
▶️09 Dangerous weapons,
▶️02 firearms,
▶️01 vehicle,
▶️ 1308 packets of tobacco,
▶️ 0.408 kg of drugs,
▶️ 0.29 g of cocaine,
▶️ 85 rounds of ammunition, ▶️ 135 987 liters of alcoholic beverages,
▶️R130.00 cash
All suspects have already started appearing at their respective magistrate’s courts.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Major General Jan Scheepers, praised the dedication of SAPS officers and community stakeholders, stressing that the police will continue to prevent, combat, and investigate crime, maintain public order, and protect all people’ lifes and property.
Ends