Pretoria: The South African Police Service (SAPS) arrested 13 020 suspects for various offences during nationwide SHANELA II operations carried out between 06 and 12 July 2026.
Amongst those arrested are 1 886 individuals wanted for serious and violent crimes including murder, rape, armed robbery, and hijacking.
Moreover, on 10 July 2026, the SAPS has arrested Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, in Kensington, Johannesburg, following an intensive operation involving the SAPS INTERPOL National Central Bureau, Crime Intelligence and the Organised Crime Investigation Unit.
Tshuma is wanted by authorities in the United Kingdom in connection with the murder of his wife, Nothabo Zandile Tshuma (42), and their two daughters, Natalie (15) and Nala (5), whose bodies were discovered at their home near Bedford.
In addition, the Deputy Minister of Police, Dr Polly Boshielo, this week led the destruction of 11 859 firearms and firearm parts as the SAPS marked International Firearm Destruction Day, a United Nations campaign observed annually on 9 July.
Majority of the firearms were recovered during policing operations such as OPERATION SHANELA, while others were voluntarily handed in or surrendered during firearm amnesty periods.
Of those firearms destroyed, 157 were linked to finalised cases involving crimes committed against women and children while three are linked to cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies.
Other key arrests this week include:
* Murder: 105, majority of these suspects were arrested in the Eastern Cape (28) followed by Gauteng (26)
* Rape: 138, police in KZN apprehended 32 of these suspects while 29 were arrested in Gauteng
* Illegal possession of firearms: 71
* Possession of a dangerous weapon: 488
* Dealing in drugs: 276, majority were apprehended in KZN (67) followed by Gauteng (54)
* Possession of drugs: 1 710, majority arrested in KZN (494) followed by Western Cape (478) and Gauteng (371)
* Driving under the influence: 523
* Illegal dealing in liquor: 646
* Contravention of the Immigration Act: 2 089 illegal immigrants of which 801 were apprehended by police in Gauteng
Under confiscations and recoveries:
* 100 unlicensed firearms seized including handguns, shotguns, and rifles. Police in KZN recovered 30 handguns followed by WC with 23;
* 1 752 rounds of ammunition;
* 629 dangerous weapons;
* 46 stolen or hijacked vehicles recovered during this period
Other operational highlights and successes this week:
Eastern Cape: Between 7 and 8 July 2026, proactive operations in Nelson Mandela Bay resulted in multiple seizures and arrests. The Anti-Gang Unit recovered ammunition and cash at a Transnet depot and arrested suspects in Wells Estate and Kwanobuhle for unlawful possession of firearms. The team also confiscated large quantities of drugs in Richmond Hill, including 2 797 mandrax tablets, cocaine, and tik valued at R115 000. Four suspects were arrested in total.
Free State: An intelligence-driven operation in Boshof uncovered illicit cigarettes valued at approximately R3.6 million. The Bloemfontein K9 Unit and Provincial Crime Intelligence raided a supermarket and a warehouse, seizing 339 boxes of cigarettes and over 15,000 loose packets. Three suspects aged 22, 44, and 56 were arrested for possession of counterfeit cigarettes and contravention of the Immigration Act.
Gauteng: A multidisciplinary law enforcement operation, conducted at Losberg Kloof Mine in Westonaria on 07 July 2026, has resulted in the arrest of 217 suspects. OPERATION PROSPER was led by police in Gauteng in collaboration with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Sibanye Protection Services and Fidelity Specialised Services. The operation targeted illegal mining activities and related criminal offences in the area.
In a separate operation, SAPS in collaboration with SANDF arrested 120 illegal miners in Mohlakeng, West Rand District. The suspects face charges related to possession of gold‑bearing material and contravention of the Immigration Act.
Limpopo: A multi-agency operation conducted in Tzaneen, Phalaborwa, and Mankweng from 07 to 09 July 2026 resulted in the seizure of illicit and counterfeit goods with an estimated value of R77.9 million.
A total of 162 072 illicit and counterfeit items were seized during the operation. The seized goods included branded clothing and footwear, jewellery, cosmetics, fashion accessories, toys, consumable goods, illicit medicines, agricultural products, including pesticides and honey, alcohol, as well as electrical, automotive and mechanical products that failed to comply with compulsory specifications.
Mpumalanga: Police recovered four vehicles and arrested three suspects during intelligence-driven operations involving the White River Flying Squad, Provincial Anti-Hijacking Task Team (Ehlanzeni), Tonga VISPOL, and Tracker Recoveries. A black Ford Ranger was found abandoned near the Mozambique border, while a Toyota Hilux, a white Ford Ranger, and a Toyota Fortuner, fitted with false number platers, were intercepted and confirmed stolen in Brits, Ivory Park, and Vanderbijlpark respectively. Three suspects aged 29, 35, and 39 were arrested.
Northern Cape: The Upington Regional Court sentenced a 30-year-old convicted child rapist on 30 June 2026 to 15 years’ imprisonment. He was found guilty of sexually abusing five minor boys in May 2025. They were swimming in one of the canals in the Augrabies when the accused accosted them.
North West: Following the murder of Mr Thato Molosankwe on Wednesday, 20 May 2026 at his home, the Acting Provincial Commissioner of the North West, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, assembled a team from the Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit to investigate his death.
The team made a breakthrough in the case resulting in the arrest of two suspects, aged 28 and 38. Mr Molosankwe was known by many for speaking out against crime and wrongdoing.
Western Cape: A crime-combatting operation conducted by the Somerset West Crime Prevention Unit resulted in seizure of a vehicle suspected to be linked to a series of house robbery cases including rape in and around Kleinmond, Stellenbosch, Table View and Bothasig. Police arrested a 32-year-old foreign national for possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of stolen property, contravention of the Immigration Act including reckless and negligent driving.
Our men and women in blue remain hard at work to ensure a safer and more secure country for all!
