Operation Shanela 2: North West Police Arrest 2,395 Suspects in Major Crime Crackdown
Police in North West have intensified their campaign against crime, arresting 2,395 suspects in just two weeks as Operation Shanela 2 continued to target violent offenders, wanted criminals and organised illegal activities across the province.
The large scale operation, described by police as part of ongoing efforts to reinforce the authority of the State, saw officers conduct high density raids, roadblocks, stop and search operations and intelligence driven investigations between 29 June and 12 July 2026. The crackdown led to hundreds of arrests for serious crimes, including murder, rape, robbery and drug related offences, while nearly 1,000 wanted suspects were tracked down through forensic evidence and investigative work.
The latest results underline the scale of policing efforts currently underway in North West as authorities continue to clamp down on violent crime and criminal networks.
Throughout the two week operation, multidisciplinary law enforcement teams carried out stop and search operations, vehicle checkpoints, high visibility patrols, foot patrols and targeted tracing operations aimed at locating wanted suspects. Police also inspected 931 liquor outlets and 44 second hand goods businesses to identify illegal activity.
In total, officers searched 1,157 premises, 6,307 people and 2,830 vehicles during the province wide operation.
Among those arrested were:
- 30 suspects for murder
- 45 for robbery
- 43 for rape
- 277 for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm
- 133 for common assault
- 73 for burglary at residential and business premises
- 10 for stock theft
- 86 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- 681 for contravening the Immigration Act
- 91 for illegal liquor trading
- 23 for dealing in drugs
- 270 for possession of drugs
One of the most significant outcomes of Operation Shanela 2 was the arrest of 918 wanted suspects. Detectives traced and apprehended these individuals after linking them to criminal offences through forensic DNA evidence and other investigative leads.
North West police spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh said officers also confiscated a range of illegal items during the operation, including drugs, tobacco products, liquor, almost 12 kilograms of copper, eight knives, explosives, two firearms, one rifle, two vehicles and a trailer.
The operation also uncovered several notable incidents across the province.
In Nietverdiend on 7 July, a man was fined after police discovered he was selling counterfeit cigarettes. Officers confiscated 1,000 packets of counterfeit cigarettes during the inspection.
Another individual was fined for illegally trading in petrol, with police seizing 145 litres of fuel.
In a separate breakthrough in Vryburg, three suspects were arrested after allegedly attempting to sell two stolen cattle at the Vryburg Auction.
Police said the animals were positively identified by their rightful owner, a farmer from Kameelfontein, through registered brand markings before being returned to him.
The suspects, identified as cousins Keamogetse Nthebolang (25), Ontlametse Nthebolang (39) and Kagiso Nthebolang (27), appeared before the Vryburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Keamogetse and Kagiso were each granted bail of R1,000, while Ontlametse remained in custody because he is facing another stock theft case. The matter was postponed to 20 July 2026 for further proceedings.
Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Dr Ryno Naidoo praised officers for what he described as their relentless commitment to fighting crime across the province.
Naidoo said Operation Shanela 2 continues to produce tangible results and credited communities for providing information that has helped police identify suspects and prevent further criminal activity.
He added that continued cooperation between residents and law enforcement remains essential to building safer communities throughout North West.
