Alexandra crime spike prompts SAPS response
As violent crime surges in Alexandra, SAPS intensifies its response through Operation Shanela 2—recovering stolen vehicles and unlicensed ammunition.
A surge in violent crime in Alexandra has prompted a renewed response from SAPS, with Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni leading Operation Shanela 2 in Alexandra on July 31.
The local station’s crime profile has become increasingly volatile, with SAPS’s latest quarterly report from January–March 2025 showing a rise in murder, attempted murder, common assault, robbery, and vehicle theft, despite provincial declines in most categories. Mthombeni said the local station’s statistics reflected ‘serious challenges.’
Read more: SAPS Operation Shanela 2 targets crime in Alexandra
During the operation, police recovered a vehicle reported stolen in KZN in 2023. It was found parked on 12th Avenue at the home of a man in his 40s.
“We got information which led to this address, and that information was received by one of our senior officers,” said Mthombeni.
“The vehicle crime investigation unit confirmed that the vehicle was stolen from KZN in 2023. So, we can confirm that this vehicle is stolen.”
A search of the residence uncovered a stash of ammunition, including rounds incompatible with the man’s licensed firearm. He is expected to face charges for possession of unlicensed ammunition. The operation also resulted in multiple arrests and the closure of multiple illegal liquor outlets in Alexandra.
The Alexandra operation is part of a broader national push. Between July 21 and 27, SAPS revealed that Operation Shanela netted more than 14 000 arrests nationwide, including 172 for murder, 138 for attempted murder, 170 for rape and more than 1 500 for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The police shared that of the 170 arrested for murder, Gauteng and Eastern Cape recorded the highest number of arrests at 46 and 37, respectively. Furthermore, of the 170 arrests made for rape, Gauteng recorded the highest with 26 arrests.
Operation Shanela, launched in May 2023 by SAPS, focuses on high-density policing and intelligence-led operations targeting serious crimes such as murder and attempted murder, rape and gender-based violence, robbery and assault, and illegal firearms and stolen vehicles, among others.
In a statement released on July 29, SAPS reaffirmed its commitment to addressing crime through its operations. “The South African Police Service remains resolute in its nationwide operations to combat and prevent criminal activities, threatening public safety and sabotaging South Africa’s economic infrastructure.”
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