Festive season crime round-up
Local police were out in full force to ensure safety, and maintain order during the festive season.
Below is a brief overview of the crime situation in Boksburg, including safety enforcement measures, key police operations, strategies employed and their outcomes.
Boksburg SAPS
Police in this precinct reported that they intensified visibility throughout the festive period by conducting targeted operations, including blitzes in known crime hotspots. These operations formed part of additional initiatives supporting the SAPS festive season safety campaigns.
According to Boksburg SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Ntsako Ledwaba, the heightened operations resulted in a significant number of arrests, predominantly for drug-related offences and drunk-driving incidents.
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Key crime trends and interventions:
Police were required to intervene in response to rising levels of violent crime, including murder, reported in several informal settlements such as Jerusalem, Kanana and Angelo.
Another area of concern during the period was a notable increase in house robberies, particularly in Freeway Park and Comet near Main Reef Road. In response, targeted measures were implemented to curb these criminal activities in the affected areas.
A spike in shoplifting incidents at certain shopping centres was also recorded, leading to the arrest and detention of several suspects who now face prosecution.
“We also had to intervene to address an increase in robberies at the Boksburg Sub-Regional Cemetery, where criminals were targeting people visiting the site to pay their respects to loved ones,” said Ledwaba.
Police reported that crime levels subsequently stabilised, with a significant decrease noted in hijackings and theft of motor vehicles across the precinct.
“We are currently analysing our reports and developing new strategies to be implemented beyond the festive season to ensure that residents can live and work in a safer environment,” Ledwaba added.
Boksburg North SAPS
The Boksburg North SAPS recorded a relatively calm festive season, with no serious incidents reported, thanks to visible policing and intensified festive operations.
According to station commander Colonel Mack Mngomezulu, officers were deployed on the ground throughout December to ensure the safety of residents and visitors.
“As a result of our festive operations, the season was not bad and no serious incidents were reported because we were visible and proactive,” said Mngomezulu.
During December, police arrested 16 people for drinking and driving, while 11 suspects were apprehended for possession of drugs. Officers also recovered four unlicensed firearms during various operations.
Despite the overall calm period, police did face some challenges, mainly involving general theft and shoplifting incidents.
“In a nutshell, we had a quiet festive season,” Mngomezulu added.
Mngomezulu expressed his gratitude to the community for their co-operation and urged residents to continue working with police to keep the area safe throughout the year.
Reiger Park SAPS
Reiger Park SAPS intensified crime-prevention operations during the festive season, resulting in numerous arrests, fines and confiscations.
According to the spokesperson of the police station, Constable Johannes Msimanga, officers carried out targeted operations focusing on drugs, alcohol-related offences, undocumented individuals, illegal firearms and unlicensed businesses.
“A total of 24 suspects were arrested for drug-related offences, with an additional four drug arrests recorded in separate operations.
“Police confiscated 13 drug exhibits, amounting to approximately 250.91 grams of drugs.
“Ten motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. In addition, 20 people were arrested for public drinking, while 15 fines were issued for consuming alcohol in public spaces.
“Police closed seven unlicensed liquor outlets, issuing seven fines for illegal outlets, and confiscated approximately 166 530ml of liquor during the operations.
“The festive season crackdown also led to the arrest of 13 undocumented suspects. Two firearms were seized, and five suspects were arrested in connection with the seized weapons.“
They (police) further seized 6 800 sticks of counterfeit cigarettes and confiscated 10 fireworks that were being sold or possessed illegally.”
Police said they will continue to hold similar operations to maintain law and order in Reiger Park beyond the festive season. They urge the public to continue reporting any suspicious activities to the police.
Over 16 000 suspects arrested in the SAPS’s festive season crime crackdown
A total of 16044 suspects were arrested between December 29, 2025 and January 4, 2026 during nationwide Shanela II operations, with a strong focus on violent crime, gun and alcohol related crimes.
According to the SAPS, 939 suspects were arrested for illegally dealing in liquor, while 1 816 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Police also arrested 997 suspects for contravening the Immigration Act, while a total of 1888 wanted suspects were traced and arrested for crimes ranging from robberies and hijackings to sexual offences and firearm-related crimes.
Officers further arrested135 murder suspects, 181 for rape, 81 for illegal possession of firearms, 50 for possession of explosives, 396 for possession of dangerous weapons, 185 for drug dealing, and 87 for aggravated robbery.
The nationwide sweep also resulted in significant recoveries:
113 firearms recovered, including handguns, rifles, homemade weapons, and shotguns
1 278 rounds of ammunition
325 explosives confiscated
32 hijacked and stolen vehicles were recovered in the past week.
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