Police in Limpopo say they have arrested over 900 people in connection with various crimes as part of Operation Shanela
Image: Supplied / SAPS
The South African Police Service in Limpopo says it has intensified its fight against crime after arresting 926 suspects and recovering multiple firearms and dangerous weapons during the latest phase of Operation Shanela.
According to police, the high-density operation was conducted across all five districts in the province between May 18 and May 24.
Police said the operation resulted in the seizure of firearms, drugs, liquor and other contraband, while hundreds of suspects were arrested for a range of serious offences.
“Between May 18 and May 24, 2026, a total of 926 suspects were arrested, 06 firearms and 28 dangerous weapons, amongst others, were seized during Operation Shanela conducted across all five districts in the province,” spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said.
The arrests included suspects linked to murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, illegal possession of firearms, drug-related crimes and liquor offences.
Among the suspects arrested were:
Ledwaba also confirmed that 400 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested during the operation.
Large quantities of alcohol, drugs and illegal goods were confiscated. Police said the seizures included more than 427,000 litres of alcoholic beverages, 1,356kg of dagga, ammunition, copper pipes, tobacco products and seven firearms.
The operation also focused heavily on compliance inspections at businesses and liquor outlets across the province.
Police said officers inspected 1,397 liquor premises, 331 second-hand dealers, 124 scrapyards and 7,667 informal businesses, including spaza shops, to ensure compliance with labour and other regulations.
In addition, 12,748 people and 5,919 vehicles were searched during the week-long operation, while 72 unlicensed liquor premises were shut down.
The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, praised officers involved in the operation.
“The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has acknowledged the dedication and commitment displayed by the men and women in blue in combating crime across the province,” Ledwaba said.
Police confirmed that some of the arrested suspects have already appeared in various magistrates’ courts across the province as investigations continue.
karabo.ngoepe@iol.co.za