LIMPOPO END THE MONTH BY ARRESTING 307 SUSPECTS
POLOKWANE: The intensified Operation Shanela conducted across the province continues to yield positive results in the fight against crime, with 307 suspects arrested and several crime prevention successes recorded during the operations between 24 May and 31 May 2026.
The operations were executed across all five districts of the province, with the Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, and her deputies, personally joined some of the high-density Operation Shanela conducted in the Sekhukhune and Mopani Districts on Thursday, 28 May and Friday, 29 May 2026.
The week-long operations focused on tackling serious and violent crimes, tracing wanted suspects, combating illicit trade, enforcing liquor legislation, and enhancing police visibility in identified crime hotspots.
Among the arrests recorded were:
Murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, robbery at residential premises, Rape, Malicious damage to property, Illegal migrants, Assault GBH, common assault, illegal possession of firearms, Possession of dangerous weapons, Possession of drugs, Dealing in drugs, Possession of illegal cigarettes, Illegal dealing in liquor, Business burglaries, Residential burglaries, Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and Other offences
Police also confiscated various items linked to criminal activities, including:
▶️ 154,34 litres of alcoholic beverages
▶️ 38 rounds of ammunition
▶️ 18 dangerous weapons
▶️ 5 254,790657 kg of dagga
▶️ 0,1 grams of crystal meth
▶️ R1 738 cash
▶️ 06 cellphones
▶️ 02 firearms
▶️ 33 packets of tobacco products
Police actions carried out:
▶️ 1443 liquor premises inspected
▶️ 193 secondhand dealers inspected
▶️ 31 scrapyards searched
▶️ 6084 informal businesses, e.g. spaza shops were inspected to ensure labour law compliance.
▶️ 7701 persons searched
▶️ 4951 vehicles searched
▶️ 23 unlicensed liquor premises closed
Some of the arrested suspects have already appeared before various Magistrates’ courts across the province, while others are expected to appear soon.
