By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Free State has hailed the success of Operation Shanela II, which saw more than 1,200 suspects arrested in a single week as law enforcement tightened its grip on crime across the province.
The high-density operation, conducted from 1 to 7 September 2025, involved a multi-agency approach with departments including Home Affairs, Health, Social Development, SARS and Basic Education. Officials say the collaboration is central to restoring public safety and dismantling organised crime networks.
Free State provincial corporate communication and media liaison sergeant Mahlomola Kareli said the results underline the value of a united front in the fight against crime.
“These results demonstrate that when government departments and law enforcement agencies join forces, the authority of the state is felt across communities,” Kareli said.
Detectives arrested 330 wanted suspects, many linked to serious crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape, drug trafficking and illegal firearms possession.
One of the most significant breakthroughs came in the investigation of a recent cash-in-transit heist on the N8 near Botshabelo. Swift action led to the arrest of a suspect and the recovery of a substantial cache of weapons, including:
• Two AK-47 rifles
• Five R5 rifles
• One R1 rifle
• One R4 rifle
• One pistol
Alongside the firearms, police seized more than 830 rounds of ammunition, much of it for high-calibre rifles commonly used by organised crime syndicates.
“The seizure of these high-calibre weapons shows the seriousness of the threat posed by organised criminal groups,” Kareli noted. “But it also shows that SAPS is more than equal to the task.”
The week-long blitz also targeted narcotics. Police arrested 29 suspects for drug dealing and confiscated cocaine, crystal meth, Mandrax and nyaope. Another 77 people were arrested for possession of dangerous weapons, and seven vehicles used in criminal activity were impounded.
The Department of Home Affairs played a prominent role, arresting 124 undocumented persons, while overall SAPS seized nine handguns, 11 rifles and more than 1,100 rounds of ammunition.
Among the 1,231 suspects arrested during the operation were:
• 30 for rape
• 7 for murder
• 23 for attempted murder
• 317 for assault (grievous bodily harm and common assault)
• 59 for driving under the influence
• 21 for possession of gold-bearing material
• 6 for robberies
“Each arrest and each confiscation means one less threat on our streets,” he said. “We will not rest until communities across the Free State feel the impact of our commitment to fighting crime.”
Kareli emphasised that the statistics represent more than numbers—they reflect safer streets and a direct response to community concerns.
Operation Shanela II, according to SAPS, will continue in the coming weeks, with officers focusing on hot-spot areas, tracking fugitives, and removing illegal weapons and drugs from circulation.
“Through consistent operations like Shanela II, SAPS will continue to work tirelessly to bring perpetrators to justice and protect the law-abiding citizens of our province,” Kareli concluded.
