After an unidentified man was killed in Potchefstroom’s CBD on April 14 – in a similar manner to another killing in September 2025 – police have turned their attention to Wandellaan (Walter Sisulu Street), responding to community concerns over high crime levels in the area.

Acting North West provincial commissioner Major General Ryno Naidoo led the Operation Shanela II efforts over the long weekend, reports Potchefstroom Herald.

On Friday, 29 foreign nationals without valid documentation were arrested, while various liquor outlets were inspected for compliance. Stop-and-search operations were also conducted at the taxi rank in the CBD for drugs, unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

On Saturday and Sunday, a further 36 undocumented migrants were arrested. According to North West police communication officer Sergeant Kelebogile Morake, two Nigerian men were taken in for questioning by the Department of Home Affairs to verify their status.

Naidoo commended the community for providing valuable information that contributed to the success of the operation.

Mother pleads for answers after two similar murders in CBD

Recently, Potchefstroom Herald reported that the mother of a young man murdered in the CBD in September was retraumatised after another victim was killed in a similar manner earlier in April, on the corner of Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu avenues.

The last known footage of her son, Chris van der Wal, shows him crossing the N12 while clutching his neck. His body was found with his wallet and ID still on him.

North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh, said that police currently have no evidence to link the two murders.

More than 1 000 nabbed in Mpumalanga

In a separate Operation Shanela II deployment in Mpumalanga, police, government departments, and community stakeholders focused on crime hotspots and the tracking of wanted suspects over the long weekend, reports Mpumalanga News.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Sergeant Thulisile Magagula said that over 1 000 suspects were arrested for serious offences such as murder, rape, illegal possession of firearms, drug-related crimes and human trafficking.

Police also confiscated firearms, ammunition, drugs, explosives and vehicles, among other things.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.