The South African Police Service (SAPS) has targeted alcohol-related crime as a leading factor in lawlessness during its nationwide Shanela II operations, arresting 16 044 suspects between 29 December 2025 and 4 January 2026.
The crackdown saw 939 people arrested for illegally dealing in liquor and 1 816 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, while police removed a staggering 30 043 litres of alcohol from circulation, including 12 343 litres in the Eastern Cape alone.
These actions underscore SAPS’s determination to curb the social and criminal damage fueled by alcohol, which has long been linked to violent and reckless behavior in communities.
Beyond liquor-related offenses, the operation netted suspects for a range of serious crimes, including murder, rape, aggravated robbery, drug dealing, illegal firearms possession, and contraventions of the Immigration Act.
In total, 997 suspects were arrested for immigration violations, 135 for murder, 181 for rape, 81 for illegal possession of firearms, 50 for explosives possession, 396 for dangerous weapons possession, 185 for drug dealing, 87 for aggravated robbery, and 1 888 wanted suspectswere traced for crimes including robberies, hijackings, sexual offenses, and firearm violations.
It is also reported that a significant breakthrough occurred on 30 December 2025 in the investigation of the Atteridgeville mass shooting, which left twelve people dead and thirteen wounded.
Another joint operation in Gauteng and Limpopo led to the arrest of a suspect in Polokwane and the seizure of a firearm later confirmed by ballistics to be linked to the crime scene. Police continue to pursue two additional suspects still at large.
In Johannesburg, Public Order Policing officers rescued a kidnapped victim and arrested two suspects in Bekkersdal.
“A joint Gauteng-Limpopo operation led to the arrest of one suspect in Polokwane and seizure of a firearm. Ballistics confirmed the weapon is linked to the Atteridgeville crime scene. A manhunt continues for two suspects still at large.”
“Still on Gauteng, Johannesburg Public Order Policing members rescued a kidnapped victim and arrested two suspects in Bekkersdal. Officers monitoring funeral proceedings noticed suspicious behaviour, stopped a vehicle, and apprehended two suspects who attempted to flee. Three unlicensed firearms were recovered, one with a filed off serial number. The victim confirmed he had been kidnapped earlier in Finsbuy, Mohlakeng, where a case has been opened,” SAPS revealed.
Saturday Star