A total of 477 suspects have been arrested across Limpopo during a week-long police operation targeting a range of crimes, including murder, rape, assault and drug-related offences. The arrests were made during Operation Shanela, which ran from 5 to 12 April 2026. The operation was carried out across the province by the South African Police Service, working with several government departments and law enforcement agencies.
These included the Department of Home Affairs, Department of Minerals and Energy, Department of Social Development, traffic police, the South African National Defence Force, SARS, Community Policing Forums and other community safety structures.
Police conducted stop-and-search operations, roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, high-visibility patrols and compliance inspections, as well as tracing wanted suspects.
Among those arrested were 9 suspects for murder, 7 for attempted murder and 19 for rape. A further 3 suspects were arrested for attempted rape. Police also arrested 115 suspects for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and 70 for common assault. Drug-related arrests included 33 for possession of drugs and 24 for dealing in drugs.
Other arrests included 39 undocumented immigrants, 17 suspects for possession of dangerous weapons, 5 for illegal possession of firearms and 7 for possession of ammunition. Police also recorded arrests for burglary, robbery, malicious damage to property, illicit mining and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A total of 45 suspects were arrested for drunk driving, while 40 were arrested for illegal dealing in liquor.
During the operation, police recovered a range of items, including 247,583 litres of alcoholic beverages, firearms, ammunition, drugs and dangerous weapons. They also seized tobacco products, cellphones, jewellery and a motor vehicle.
Some of the suspects have already appeared in various magistrates’ courts across the province.
Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe said police were encouraged by the results of the operation and warned that criminal activity would not be tolerated. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Masekela Magoro said operations would continue across the province.
