Operation Shanela: Police arrest more than 16 000 in just one week

The South African Police Services (Saps) have arrested more than 16 000 for various crimes including murder rape and bullying in just one week.

The suspects were arrested during the police’s high-density operations, known as Operation Shanela, from Monday to Sunday last week.

Arrests

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said there were 223 rape cases reported, with KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) recording 106 arrests.

“Illegal possession of firearms was 82, illegal dealing in drugs 272. Western Cape registered the most arrests with 55, followed by Eastern Cape with 52 and KZN with 49.”

ALSO READ: ‘Most-wanted’ CIT murder suspects dead in Boksburg shootout [VIDEO]

Mathe said 183 suspects were also arrested for murder.

“The Eastern Cape had 52 arrests, followed by Gauteng and KZN with 36 arrests each.”

Discipline

Mathe said the National Commissioner of Saps, General Fannie Masemola, called on parents, guardians, community leaders, and young people to work together with the police to instil discipline, respect, and accountability amongst young people to prevent and combat bullying incidents.

“The call follows an incident where seven girls between the ages of 13 and 15 were amongst 16,001 suspects who were arrested for various crimes this week. The seven were traced by police and arrested following their participation in an alleged act of bullying where a 14-year-old girl was a victim.

“All seven female pupils were arrested and placed into the care of their parents in line with the Child Justice Act. They all appeared today before the JHB Magistrates Court and are expected to appear again on a charge of common assault on Wednesday, 21 May 2025,” Mathe said.

This latest incident is among several incidents of bullying that police have attended to in recent weeks.

In Letlhabile near Brits, police in the North West also arrested a 16-year-old boy who was placed in the care of his parents last week.

Mathe said the matter is still under investigation, where the police are investigating 20 other children for their alleged involvement in this matter.

Bullying

Meanwhile, Masemola warned young people that bullying is criminal conduct and punishable by law.

“Bullying has dire repercussions. Once you get involved in acts such as bullying, you can be charged for assault, GBH, common assault, crimen injuria and a host of other crimes. Being formally charged means you get to have a criminal record under your name, which has negative implications on your future,” Masemola said.

“The police will not hesitate to act against those who involve themselves in such acts. Those who get involved in such acts will be traced and made to answer before a court of law for crimes committed. Young people must refrain from getting involved in such acts.

“We have heard in some instances that some children took their lives as a result of acts of bullying. Bystanders are also warned not to entertain and encourage such acts as they may become accomplices to these crimes”, said Masemola

Masemola said that through its School Safety MOU with the Department of Basic education (DBE), the Saps visits various schools across the country to create awareness on dangers and consequences of bullying and gangsterism.

ALSO READ: More than 900 suspects arrested for various crimes in Gauteng