Shanela tightens the net: 2,731 arrests across North West
Platinum Weekly newspaper | North West – From stolen livestock to unlicensed firearms, police operations across North West resulted in 2,731 arrests over three weeks as Operation Shanela 2 targeted crime throughout the province.
According to police spokesperson colonel Adéle Myburgh, the operations ran from 28 September to 18 October 2026. Arrests related to offences including murder, attempted murder, assault, drug offences, burglary and illegal liquor trading.
Police also reported 163 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol, while 160 suspected undocumented foreign nationals were taken in for processing by immigration officials.
Officers searched 931 premises, 7,374 people and 3,674 vehicles, and closed 30 unlicensed liquor outlets. Seizures included 21 firearms, ammunition, drugs, dangerous weapons, commercial explosives, almost 200 kg of copper cables and eight vehicles.
Stock theft investigation brings arrests
In Wilgeboom near Potchefstroom, a farmer’s report of a stolen cow led to three arrests after police acted on information received on 12 October.
Members of the Potchefstroom Flying Squad, Tactical Response Team and Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit traced a vehicle allegedly linked to the theft. The cow had already been slaughtered, but officers recovered the meat and a Volkswagen Polo allegedly used in the crime.
Magura Tafadzwa (26), Solomon Ngwenya (29) and Talent Sweet (37) appeared before the Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court on 14 October on charges of possession of stolen meat and stock theft. Sweet was granted R1,000 bail, while the other two were remanded in custody. At that appearance, the matter was postponed to 22 October.
Illegal hunting and firearms cases
In Groot Marico, an investigation into a waterbuck killed on a game farm led police to a house in Doornlaagte Village, where large pieces of meat were discovered on 14 October.
Ofentse Bogatsu (25) and Kelebogile Keletso Mosia (28) were arrested for alleged illegal hunting. They appeared before the Groot Marico Magistrates’ Court on 19 October and were remanded in custody until 26 October.
In a separate operation in Biesiesvlei on 14 October, police recovered four allegedly unlicensed firearms and arrested a father and son, aged 59 and 25. Both appeared before the Lichtenburg Magistrates’ Court the following day and were granted bail of R2,000 each. Their case was postponed to 4 December.
Immigration officials also arrested nine suspected undocumented foreign nationals allegedly employed on the farm. Police reported that the farmer received fines totalling R90,000 for employing undocumented workers.
North West provincial commissioner lieutenant general Arthur Peter Adams welcomed the results and urged residents to support efforts to build safer communities by reporting criminal activity.
Photo caption: Ro’an van Tonder with police officers in Potchefstroom following arrests and the recovery of meat in connection with the theft of a cow from his farm.