The operation was supported by various stakeholders, including the South African Police Service (SAPS), traffic police, law enforcement agencies, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), private security, and community policing forums (CPFs).
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During Operation Shanela II:
- 399 premises were visited and searched;
- 3 073 persons and 1 283 vehicles were searched;
- 168 stop-and-search operations and 1 660 patrols were conducted;
- 103 vehicle checkpoints were held; and
- 223 high-visibility patrols were conducted across the province, including: 11 tracking operations conducted by specialised tracking teams; 11 roadblocks and 2 375 patrols; 11 wanted suspects were traced by detectives; and three hostels were searched.
Inspections and compliance operations
The following inspections and compliance operations were carried out:
- 1 unlicensed liquor outlet was closed;
- 221 licensed liquor outlets were inspected;
- 89 second-hand dealers were inspected, with two notices issued for non-compliance;
- 11 scrap yards/recyclers were inspected;
- 20 firearm-compliance inspections at non-official institutions (private security companies and firearm dealers);
- 220 firearm-compliance inspections at official institutions;
- 254 informal businesses, including spaza shops, were inspected for labour-law compliance;
- 26 formal businesses (hospitality and retail sectors) were inspected for labour-law compliance;
- 161 farms were visited through joint operations with the Departments of Home Affairs and Labour;
- 32 mines were visited; and
- 4 enforcement actions were conducted in terms of the SASREA / Regulation of Gatherings Act.
Circulated wanted suspect raids – arrests
- Arrests during wanted-suspect operations were effected for the following offences:
- 1 carjacking;
- 1 murder;
- 9 assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm;
- 4 illegal possession of a firearm; and
- 15 other wanted suspects (not listed above).
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Arrests
The following arrests were recorded:
- Contravention of the Firearms Control Act, 2000: 10;
- Illegal possession of firearms: 10;
- Illegal possession of ammunition: 14;
- Possession of dangerous weapons: 1;
- Dealing in drugs: 9;
- Possession of drugs: 87;
- Possession of illegal cigarettes: 4;
- Illegal dealing in liquor: 195;
- Contraventions of the Second-Hand Goods Act: 3;
- Possession of precious metals: 26;
- Carjacking: 2;
- Robbery with aggravating circumstances (armed robbery): 9;
- Murder: 13;
- Attempted murder: 7;
- Rape: 18;
- Assault assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm: 139;
- Common assault: 80;
- Burglary (business premises): 6;
- Burglary (residential): 12;
- Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle: 3;
- Theft out of motor vehicle: 9;
- Malicious damage to property: 27;
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs: 189;
- Illegal immigrants arrested: 108;
- Human trafficking: 2; and
- Other crimes: 292.
Confiscations / recoveries during Operation Shanela II
The following items were confiscated or recovered:
- Alcoholic beverages: 153,6 litres;
- Ammunition (all types): 30 rounds;
- Cellphones: 2;
- Cash recovered: R404;
- Computers (including laptops and tablets): 4;
- Contraband goods (illegally imported): R21 800;
- Copper cables: 36,56 kg; and
- Dangerous weapons (knives etc): 8.
Drugs seized during Operation Shanela II
- Dagga: 2 256,5 kg
- Dagga plants: 438
- Crack cocaine: 9,1g
- Crystal meth (Tik): 10,209 g
- Nyaope/Whoonga/Wunga: 22,74 g
- Mandrax tablets: 14
- Mandrax powder: 1,5g
Other confiscations during Operation Shanela II
- Explosives: 1 740 fireworks
- Firearms (handguns): 5
- Tobacco products: 635 867 units
- Vehicle parts and accessories: 1 item
- Vehicles (trailers, motorcycles, trucks, sedans, SUVs, etc.): 15
The acting provincial commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, says that Operation Shanela II has yielded significant successes across Mpumalanga and clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of integrated, intelligence-driven operations.
“I commend all SAPS members and our partners for their commitment and professionalism in disrupting criminal activities, enforcing compliance, and restoring order in our communities. These Operation Shanela outcomes send a strong message that crime will not be tolerated. We remain resolute in our mandate to protect the people of Mpumalanga and uphold the rule of law.”
