During the Weekly High Density Shanela Operations, inclusive of Safer Easter Paseka Operations, police in the North West apprehended a total of 986 suspects for a variety of crimes. To mention a few, 124 were arrested for possession of drugs, 22 for illegal dealing in liquor, 72 for assault with the intent to do previous bodily harm, 45 for common assault, 15 for burglary and 48 for driving under the influence of alcohol of drugs.
The operations led by the District Commissioners were conducted from Monday, 31 March 2025 to Sunday, 6 April 2025. Out of the 986 arrested suspects, 442 were arrested by the Detectives as those on the circulated wanted suspects’ lists, this included 17 for murder, 29 for rape and 141 for assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm.
In addition, 124 illegal immigrants were arrested for being in the country in contravention of the Immigration Act.
Through Joint law enforcement compliance inspections (to enforce the provisions of the Liquor and Second Hand Goods Acts), eight unlicensed Liquor outlets (shebeens) were closed and more than 1300 litres of liquor were confiscated. Police also seized 112 rounds of ammunition and a variety of drugs.
On Tuesday evening, 18 March 2025, four cattle were allegedly stolen in Masamane Village in Tshidilamolomo and a theft case was reported. Members of the Mahikeng Stock Theft and endangered Species Unit (STES) discovered during their investigation that the cattle were sold later at an auction in Tosca. With the assistance of Mahikeng Pubic Oder Policing (POP) two suspects were traced and arrested on Saturday, 29 March 2025, namely; Kopano Iven Melangwane (44) and Tsaone Edward Mooki (47).
The duo appeared before the Mmabatho Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 31 March 2025 and again on Friday, 04 April 2025. They were granted bail of R300 and R500 respectively and will appear before the same court soon.
In Kanana on Thursday, 03 April 2025, information received via crime intelligence led a team consisting of the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit, Provincial Drug Task Team, Potchefstroom Public Order Policing (POP) and Stilfontein K9 to a house in Extension 11, where police discovered and seized 173 bottles of liquor, raped in layers of plastic. It is suspected that it forms part of illegal mining activities.
The Acting Provincial Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng said that the arrests as well as confiscations made by police across the province are as a result of intelligence led, integrated, multi-agency, high density operations, which are intended to ensure that law abiding citizens are safeguarded from the endemic serious and violent crimes.
The public is advised to report crime at your nearest police station or anonymously through the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or the MySAPS application. Extortion-related incidents can be reported on the Extortion hotline on 080 091 1011.
