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The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga has arrested 1089 suspects and recovered 22 illegal firearms during safer festive season operation Shanela II.
The operations ran across all three districts in the province (Ehlanzeni, Gert Sibande and Nkangala) from Thursday, (29 October) to Sunday (1 November).
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According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Sergeant Thulisile Magagula, multidisciplinary teams conducted 16 925 actions, including stop-and-search operations, high-visibility patrols, vehicle check points (VCPs) and roadblocks. A total of 102 wanted suspects were traced and 19 unlicensed liquor premises were closed.
The operation targeted priority crimes including murder, rape, aggravated robbery, carjacking, house robbery, illegal possession of firearms and drug-related offences.
Mpumalanga Operation Shanela: Breakdown of arrests
- 106 – driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- 129 – undocumented foreign nationals
- 95 – assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm
- 103 – common assault
- 79 – possession of drugs
- 24 – rape
- 17 – illegal possession of firearms
- 14 – illegal dealing in liquor
- 12 – murder
- 11 – possession of counterfeit goods
- 10 – human trafficking
- 15 – illicit mining
- 7 – attempted murder
Other arrests include aggravated robbery, business and residential robbery, burglary and possession of illegal cigarettes.
Mpumalanga Operation Shanela: What was confiscated during Shanela II
- 420kg dagga and 517 dagga plants
- 22 firearms – 17 handguns and 5 rifles
- 384 rounds of ammunition
- 59,2g crystal methamphetamine
- 63,7g nyaope
- 61 mandrax tablets and 6g mandrax powder
- 523,9 litres of liquor
- 3 408 counterfeit goods
- 1 504 packets of tobacco products
- 50kg copper, 18,8kg precious metals
- 19 vehicles and R18 619 in cash
- illegally imported goods worth R301 150, plus dangerous weapons, cell phones and computers
Provincial commissioner commends operation
Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Apaphia Modise commended members and stakeholders for their commitment and dedication.
Police will continue with intelligence-driven operations and high visibility to prevent crime, disrupt criminal networks and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.
How to report crime:
Anyone with information on criminal activities is urged to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or send information via the MySAPS App. All information will be treated as confidential.
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What is Mpumalanga Operation Shanela II
Operation Shanela II is the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) ongoing, intelligence-driven, high-density crime-combating operation.
It is an integrated and multidisciplinary operation that brings together SAPS units, other law enforcement agencies, and stakeholders to reduce serious and violent crime across all provinces, including Mpumalanga.
Operation Shanela II targets six major crime categories:
- Murder, including gang‑related and taxi‑related killings;
- Hijackings (cars and trucks);
- Illegal firearms;
- Drug‑related crimes;
- Gender‑based violence and femicide (GBVF); and
- Other serious and violent crimes
The operation uses a combination of:
- High‑visibility patrols;
- Roadblocks and vehicle checkpoints;
- Stop‑and‑search operations;
- Intelligence‑led tracing of wanted suspects;
- Compliance inspections at liquor outlets, second‑hand goods dealers, and businesses; and
- Collaboration with Home Affairs, metro police, Border Management Authority, traffic officials, and private security.
Under the Safer Festive Season campaign, operations are intensified over weekends to disrupt criminal activities and keep communities safe.
