Johannesburg: A total of 541 illegal shebeens and taverns were shut down by police across the country during the Easter long weekend. Of these, 270 were shut down in KwaZulu-Natal.
According to South African Government News Agency, a total of 757 suspects who were found dealing in illegal liquor were also arrested – 270 were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal, while 144 were arrested in Mpumalanga and 142 arrested in Gauteng. A total of 1,166 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs during that period – 265 of them were arrested in Mpumalanga.
A total of 1,209 suspects who were found to be in possession of drugs were arrested – 393 of them were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal. Also, 249 suspects were arrested for dealing in drugs and the Western Cape registered the majority of those arrested, with 61.
‘Just this past week alone, a total of 17,605 suspects were arrested through Operation Shanela. The highest number of arrests registered a week in months,’ the South African Police Service
said in a statement. It said police officers across the country remain hard at work in preventing, combating, and investigating crime.
‘Through various interventions and takedowns, police operations led to the arrest of 3,662 wanted suspects for rape, murder, and attempted murder amongst a host of other serious and violent crimes,’ the police said. Of these, 215 suspects were arrested and charged for rape, with the majority of those apprehended in KwaZulu-Natal (67).
Over and above these, the following arrests were made across the country: 145 murder suspects were arrested, with the majority in Gauteng (30). Additionally, 129 suspects were arrested for attempted murder, and 1,574 for assault grievous bodily harm. 110 suspects were arrested for being in the illegal possession of firearms, with the majority apprehended in KwaZulu-Natal (35).
Police registered several successes, including the confiscation of 128 firearms and 4,220 rounds of ammunition. They also recovered 87 hijacked and stolen vehicles durin
g the week’s operations. Two businessmen were rescued by the anti-kidnapping task team after being hijacked and kidnapped in Midrand; they were found in dense bushes, and their hijacked SUV Range Rover was later recovered in Tembisa.
A multi-disciplinary law enforcement operation led by the Nelson Mandela Bay Crime Prevention Unit and DPCI resulted in the successful rescue of a 45-year-old US pastor, who was kidnapped and held at a safe house in KwaMagxaki, Gqeberha, on 15 April 2025. Police in Northern Cape seized 39 uncut diamonds through Operation Vala Umgodi.
KwaZulu-Natal police seized five unlicensed firearms and ammunition in the Msinga area during an intelligence-driven operation, leading to the arrest of two suspects. Five suspects were arrested between North West and Gauteng for the kidnapping and murder of a 63-year-old pensioner, who was allegedly robbed of thousands of rands before being killed.
Western Cape police arrested a second suspect after a taxi boss was killed at the Wynberg Magistrat
e Court over a week ago. In Operation Vala Umgodi, 104 suspects were arrested in connection with illegal mining activities across the North West province, while 11 suspects were arrested by Free State police.
‘Police will continue with their operations by asserting the authority of the state to ensure the safety and security of all South Africans and visitors to the country,’ the police said.