NW | 945 SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN 1 WEEK
North West – The North West police have made a powerful start to the Safer Festive Season campaign, arresting 945 suspects across the province during Operation Shanela 2 between 12 and 19 October 2025. The high-density, multi-agency operation was rolled out across all five districts, tackling a wide range of criminal activities and hotspots.
According to colonel Adéle Myburgh, the majority of arrests – 466 in total – were made by detectives targeting suspects on the province’s wanted list. The arrests covered a variety of offences, including cases involving illegal immigrants (54 arrested) and numerous other serious crimes. The week’s efforts included joint compliance inspections focusing on known crime generators such as illegal liquor trading and second-hand goods dealing. These actions led to 25 unlicensed shebeens being shut down, and large quantities of liquor and other contraband confiscated. The crackdown also uncovered drugs, firearms, ammunition, laptops, tobacco products, and precious metals.
In one of the largest busts of the week, Potchefstroom Crime Prevention officers intercepted a truck on the N12 between Fochville and Potchefstroom, recovering illicit cigarettes valued at R3.3 million. The suspects, Xolani Dladla (45) and Sanele Bele (27), were arrested and appeared before the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on 15 October 2025.
In Rustenburg, a late-night intelligence-driven operation led to the arrest of two suspects transporting suspected stolen copper cable worth R65,000. The police stopped a Toyota Hilux bakkie on the R24, discovering the copper inside. The accused, Ejaz Hussain Shan (36) and Prince Nyamukondiwa (37), appeared before the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 17 October and were remanded in custody pending their bail hearing on 23 October.
Acting provincial commissioner, major general Ryno Naidoo, commended the province’s Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster for their teamwork and dedication.
Photo: Recovered copper cable valued at R65 000, seized by the Rustenburg police.
