329 alleged drug dealers amongst 15 798 arrested, cocaine worth 28 mil seized at ORTIA, 153 unlicensed firearms recovered this past week

Pretoria: This week, the South African Police Service (SAPS), in close collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and participating government departments, arrested 15 798 suspects for various offences through nationwide SHANELA II operations.

SAPS continues to intensify efforts to dismantle organised criminal networks and drug trafficking at all ports of entry and across the country. 

Just this past week alone, police apprehended 329 alleged drug dealers and 3 242 suspects for possession of drugs between 27 July and 02 August 2026.

In addition, on Friday, 31 July 2026, an intelligence-led operation resulted in the seizure of a consignment of cocaine worth an estimated R28 million at the OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA). The cargo had arrived on a flight from São Paulo, Brazil, when police, with support from Customs officials and Menzies Aviation operational members, intercepted the drugs.

Other key arrests this week include :

* Wanted suspects: 2 170

Murder: 130 (KZN – 32, GP – 28)

* Attempted murder: 141

Rape: 150 (FS – 38)

* Assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm: 1 345

* Illegal possession of firearm: 105 (EC – 33)

Illegal dealing in liquor: 694 (KZN – 233, MP – 217)

* Driving under the influence of liquor or drugs: 781

* Contravention of Immigration Act: 1821 (GP – 882)

During this period, police also seized :

153 unlicensed firearms which include handguns, shotguns and rifles. Majority of the handguns were recovered by police in the Eastern Cape (29) followed by KwaZulu-Natal (27) and the Western Cape (23);

2 639 rounds of ammunition; and

86 stolen and hijacked vehicles were also recovered during this period

Operational highlights recorded during this period :

National: The National Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit led a multi-disciplinary operation in the Johannesburg CBD this past week. The operation resulted in the seizure of counterfeit and illicit goods worth more than R5 million. An on-site verification process by officials from the Department of Home Affairs also led to the arrest of eight individuals for contravening the Immigration Act.

Eastern Cape: Excellent operational synergy and rapid response led to the swift arrest of four suspects and recovery of jewellery to the estimated amount of more than R3 million within hours of an armed business robbery at a local jewellery store in Jeffrey's Bay on Sunday, 02 August 2026.

Free State: The Bloemfontein High Court, sitting at the Harrismith Magistrate's Court, has convicted and sentenced 42-year-old Mzwakhe Paulos Mhlambi of Phamong Village in QwaQwa to life imprisonment for the murder of his girlfriend, Dibakiso Maria Motaung (36). The case was assigned to Detective Sergeant Montane Mokitimi of the Tseki Detective Service, who meticulously pieced together all available leads which resulted in a water-tight case against the accused in court.

Gauteng: Between 27 and 30 July 2026, the Gauteng Provincial Counterfeit Unit, working together with brand protection representatives and other law enforcement partners, executed a series of search and seizure operations across the Tshwane, West Rand, Sedibeng and Johannesburg Districts. The operations resulted in the seizure of counterfeit and illicit goods worth more than R27 million.

KwaZulu-Natal: On 30 July 2026 the Mthunzini High Court sentenced Dumisile Sibisi (37), Thulani Mbatha (38), Ngcebo Mavuso (32), Mndeni Buthelezi (32) and Dumisani Gumede (44) to two life terms and a further one hundred years for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances as well as unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

This sentence comes after a thorough and skilful investigation into a murder and robbery case that occurred on 29 November 2022 at Scayeni area in KwaNongoma.

Limpopo: Hitting the ground running, the newly appointed Provincial Commissioner for Limpopo, Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers, conducting unannounced visits to police stations across the province to monitor and assess service delivery during the voter registration weekend.

Mpumalanga: A multi-disciplinary operation led by the Middelburg Flying Squad has resulted in the arrest of a 40-year-old man and the recovery of a suspected stolen vehicle and mining equipment with an estimated value of R500 000.00 in Middelburg on Wednesday, 29 July 2026.

The success follows intelligence-led information regarding a stolen white Toyota Hilux GD6 Single Cab which was reported in Witbank.

Acting on the information, members from the Middelburg Flying Squad, Provincial National Security, Tracker Connect and Bidvest Security proceeded to the Truck Stop Facility where the stolen vehicle was recovered.

Northern Cape: A 40-year-old man from Olifantshoek was recently convicted and sentenced to two life terms by the Kathu Regional Court for raping two minor girls, aged 7 and 10, at a dumping site on Saturday, 11 October 2025.

The conviction followed the vigilance of a passer-by who noticed the man with the two children at the dumping site and became suspicious. The community member took the children to his home and contacted their parents. The investigation was assigned to Detective Constable Refilwe Rapelang of the Kathu Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.

North West: Police in North West have arrested a 27-year-old Lesotho national, Thabiso Sholo Potsoko, in connection with the fatal mass shooting at a Tavern in Kanana, near Orkney. The incident occurred on Saturday night, 30 May 2026, at a tavern in Kanana Extension 10, where five people were shot and killed, while five others sustained gunshot injuries. It is alleged that the suspects stormed the tavern and opened fire indiscriminately, killing the patrons.

The arrest follows an intelligence-driven operation involving members of the Provincial Anti-Gang Investigation Unit, North West Crime Intelligence, Sasolburg Crime Prevention Unit (Free State), and the North West Tactical Response Team (TRT).

Western Cape: Operation Prosper deployments in crime hotspot areas yielded success during crime prevention initiatives on Friday night, 31 July 2026.

In Manenberg, police confiscated 139 mandrax tablets, 126 heroin straws and 61 small packets containing crystal meth; A 39-year-old suspect was arrested.

Police also searched a dwelling in New Monwabisi informal settlement, Khayelitsha and seized 58 small plastic packets containing crystal meth, 35 half mandrax tablets and five quarter mandrax tablets; a 28-year-old suspect was arrested.

Lastly, in Wallacedene, Kraaifontein, the members conducted stop-and-search operations this resulted in the arrest of a 21-year-old suspect found in possession of five mandrax tablets and six half mandrax tablets.

South Africans can rest assured that our men and women in blue remain hard at work to ensure a safer and more secure country for all.

Source: South African Police Service newsroom.