SAPS Tallies 16,044 Arrests in Weeklong Shanela II Festive Sweep

Overview

• Between 29 December 2025 and 4 January 2026, SAPS recorded 16,044 arrests nationwide under Operation Shanela II.
• Officers seized 113 firearms, 1,278 rounds of ammunition, 325 explosives, 32 hijacked or stolen vehicles, and 30,043 litres of alcohol.
• Arrests included 135 for murder, 181 for rape, 87 for aggravated robbery, and 81 for illegal firearm possession.
• Police detained 939 suspects for illegal liquor dealing, 1,816 motorists for driving under the influence, 997 for Immigration Act contraventions, and 1,888 wanted suspects traced for serious offences.
• In the Western Cape, the Anti-Gang Unit arrested three suspects linked to shootings from 2017 and 2025, while provincial traffic ran 180 roadblocks, checked over 36,000 vehicles, issued 9,000-plus fines, and made 88 arrests.