More than 900 suspects were arrested across Gauteng over the weekend during the latest phase of Operation Shanela, according to the SAPS.

The operation was carried out simultaneously across all five districts in the province and combined detective work with high-visibility crime prevention operations.

The initial phase concentrated on tracking down wanted suspects, leading to 735 arrests by detectives. This group included 422 individuals linked to contact crimes and 148 wanted for offences committed against women and children.

Police said that these efforts demonstrate their ongoing commitment to pursuing individuals connected to serious and violent crimes so they can face court proceedings. A second phase focused on disrupting criminal activity through roadblocks, stop-and-searches, high-visibility patrols, and liquor compliance inspections.

These tactical interventions yielded further arrests, including 98 people for immigration violations, 69 for driving under the influence of alcohol, 23 for drug possession, and 14 for breaking the Gauteng Liquor Act. Additional arrests involved possession of unlicensed firearms, suspected stolen property, and gold-bearing material.

SAPS Gauteng Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Fred Kekana, welcomed the results.
He praised the multidisciplinary teams, which included police personnel, other law enforcement agencies, the Department of Home Affairs, private security companies, and Community Policing Forums.

“The SAPS in Gauteng will continue conducting Operation Shanela across the province, with a particular focus on serious and violent crimes, crimes against women and children, illegal firearms, drugs, unlawful immigration, alcohol-related offences and other identified crime threats.”