More than 600 suspects arrested, and six firearms recovered during an ongoing Operation Shanela (Kukula) conducted across Limpopo

More than 600 suspects arrested, and six firearms recovered during an ongoing Operation Shanela (Kukula) conducted across Limpopo

January 14, 2026 • News

Police in Limpopo have arrested more than six hundred suspects for multiple offences during an ongoing high-density Operation Shanela conducted across all five districts in the province from Monday, 05 January 2026, until Sunday, 11 January 2026.

Police intensified their operations through high-visibility patrols, stop-and-searches, and intelligence-led suspect tracing.

The suspects were arrested for various offences as follows:

▶️ 03 House robberies
▶️ 04 Illegal possession of ammunition
▶️ 09 Possession of dangerous weapons
▶️ 73 Illegal dealing in liquor
▶️ 51 Possession of drugs
▶️ 95 Assault GBH
▶️ 02 Murder
▶️ 01 Attempted murder
▶️ 01 Robbery with aggravating circumstances (armed robbery)
▶️ 04 Theft of motor vehicles
▶️ 08 Burglary (residential)
▶️ 02 Burglary (business)
▶️ 106 Illegal immigrants
▶️ 35 Malicious damage to property
▶️ 10 Illegal mining
▶️ 66 Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
▶️ 09 Rape
▶️ 01 Car hijacking

Confiscations and recoveries include:

▶️ 385.479 litres of alcoholic beverages
▶️ 24 rounds of live ammunition (various types)
▶️ 22 dangerous weapons
▶️ 148.159 kg of drugs
▶️ 25 Carmex safety fuses and 125 blasting cartridges
▶️ 06 firearms (handguns)

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Major General Jan Scheepers, praised the multi-disciplinary forces for their concerted efforts in the fight against crime.

“We remain resolute in our operations to combat criminal elements that threaten public safety. Our collaboration with various stakeholders in the fight against crime has yielded positive results,” said Major General Jan Scheepers.

More than 600 suspects arrested, and six firearms recovered during an ongoing Operation Shanela (Kukula) conducted across Limpopohttps://t.co/CKUCu2v1aN #ArriveAlive #Safety pic.twitter.com/7OVR0w1Bey

— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) January 14, 2026