Over 16,000 arrests made in South Africa's festive season crime crackdown
The South African Police Service (SAPS) made 16 000 arrests during the festive season for a range of crimes.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/ Independent Newspapers
More than 16,000 suspects were arrested across South Africa in a sweeping festive season crime crackdown as police intensified operations to curb violent crime, alcohol abuse, and organised criminal activity.
The South African Police Service arrested 16,044 suspects between 29 December 2025 and 4 January 2026 during nationwide Shanela II operations, with a strong focus on alcohol-related offences, serious violent crime, and the recovery of illegal firearms.
Police said 939 suspects were arrested for illegally dealing in liquor, while 1,816 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In addition, 30,043 litres of alcohol were confiscated nationwide, including more than 12,000 litres in the Eastern Cape.
According to SAPS, “these actions underscore SAPS’s determination to protect communities from the devastating impact of alcohol, which fuels crime and reckless behaviour within our communities.”
The operation also resulted in the arrest of suspects linked to serious crimes, including 135 for murder, 181 for rape, 87 for aggravated robbery, and 81 for illegal possession of firearms.
Police further arrested 997 suspects for contravening the Immigration Act, while 1,888 wanted suspects were traced and arrested for offences ranging from robberies and hijackings to sexual offences and firearm-related crimes.
Significant recoveries were made during the nationwide sweep. SAPS reported the seizure of “113 firearms recovered, including handguns, rifles, homemade weapons, and shotguns,” along with “1,278 rounds of ammunition” and “325 explosives confiscated.” Police also confirmed that “32 hijacked and stolen vehicles [were] recovered in the past week.”
In the Western Cape, the Anti-Gang Unit arrested three suspects in Manenberg, Athlone, and Mitchell’s Plain. Police said the suspects “face charges of murder, attempted murder, illegal firearm possession, and contraventions of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act,” with the arrests linked to shootings dating back to 2017 and 2025, including the Athlone court killing in December.
In the Eastern Cape, a suspect linked to the killing of an off-duty police officer was taken into custody after “a 37-year-old suspect surrendered to police in Matatiele with his lawyer and was arrested after a firearm was seized.” He is linked to “the murder of Sergeant Siyabonga Magadla, aged 35.”
A major breakthrough was also recorded in Gautengfollowing the deadly Atteridgeville mass shooting. SAPS said “a joint Gauteng-Limpopo operation led to the arrest of one suspect in Polokwane and seizure of a firearm,” adding that “ballistics confirmed the weapon is linked to the Atteridgeville crime scene.”
A manhunt is continuing for two remaining suspects.
In KwaZulu-Natal, intensified province-wide operations led to multiple arrests. In one incident, police reported that “a 56-year-old suspect wanted for a cash-in-transit heist opened fire on police and was fatally shot,” with officers recovering “a 9mm pistol with six rounds.”
In Mpumalanga, police said “a multidisciplinary tactical operation in KwaMhlanga… led to the arrest of two suspects aged 46 and 49, and the recovery of firearms, ammunition, and a stolen vehicle.”
In a separate operation, “two absconded parolees, Ben Penny Mazibuko (73) and Mandisa Buthelezi (39), were traced and re-arrested.”
In the Free State, a breakthrough arrest was made in a case spanning more than two decades. SAPS said investigations revealed that the suspect “posed as a ‘prophet’, luring victims into graveyard rituals before raping and robbing them.”