Over 700 arrests made in Limpopo’s Operation Shanela

SEKHUKHUNE- The Limpopo Police’s high-density operation Operation Shanela, conducted across the province between Monday 19 to Sunday 25 May 2025, have made significant strides in the fight against crime with the arrests of 764 suspects, and recover three firearms, including a rifle,.

Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, Limpopo Provincial Police Spokesperson, said during the operations, the police arrested three suspects for murder, 9 suspects nabbed for attempted murder, ten for rape, 55 suspects arrested for attempted rape and nine arrested for other sexual offences.

“Other 22 suspects were arrested for Assault with Intent to Cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), three for business robbery, one arrested for house robbery, three arrested for illegal possession of firearms, 22 nabbed for possession of dangerous weapons and seven suspects arrested for possession of illicit cigarettes,” informed Ledwaba.

Furthermore, Ledwaba said four suspects were arrested for burglary business, 8 suspects arrested for malicious damage to property, 33 arrested for assault common, 96 nabbed on drug-related offences, six arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, 48 wanted suspects also arrested and 181 suspects apprehended for other crimes.

“During the operations the police confiscated 15,180 counterfeit cigarette sticks, 787,055 ml of illegal liquor with 43 arrests for illegal liquor trading, with various quantities of crack cocaine, heroin and nyaope drugs recovered. Twelve dangerous weapons with seven cellphones were also seized during the operations,” said Ledwaba.

Ledwaba indicated that the operation’s success was driven by high-impact policing actions, including stop-and-search operations, 37 roadblocks set up across the province.

“Thirty-seven second-Hand goods dealers were inspected, with 378 scrapyards or recycles also inspected. 314 liquor outlets were checked resulting in the closure of 16 illegal shebeens,” explained Ledwaba.

He said some of the arrested suspects have already appeared before the various magistrate’s courts in the province.

Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, welcomed the successes achieved during the operations and commended all role players for their continued efforts in the fight against crime.