POTCHEFSTROOM – The police in the province and other law enforcement agencies have apprehended 1 325 suspects for different crimes between Monday, 22 and Sunday, 28 December 2025, during weekly high density Shanela 2 Safer Festive Season operations conducted across the province.
The suspects were arrested for different crimes that included murder, rape, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) and common, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, dealing in drugs, dealing in liquor, possession of drugs, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, among others.
Out of the 1 325 arrested suspects, 344 were arrested by the Detectives as being on the circulated wanted suspects’ lists.
The operations also addressed identified crime generators through Joint Law Enforcement compliance inspections to enforce the provisions of the Liquor and Second-Hand Goods Acts. As a result, 28 unlicensed liquor outlets were closed, and large quantities of liquor were confiscated. In addition, the operations led to the confiscation of eight firearms, 84 rounds of ammunition, 17 cell phones, three vehicles, a variety of drugs, dangerous weapons, fireworks, and tobacco products.
In Sun City, in the Bojanala Sub-District 2, five male suspects, aged between 25 and 37, were on Saturday, 27 December 2025, arrested at different addresses in Ledig village near Sun City, for possession of drugs. The suspects were arrested during an intelligence-driven multidisciplinary operation. During the arrests, the police confiscated drugs such as mandrax, rock, crystal meth, nyaope and khat, with an estimated street value of R10 500,00. Additionally, the team confiscated R18 000,00 cash believed to be the proceeds of crime. The suspects are expected to appear today in the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court for possession of drugs.
The North West Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo applauded all law enforcement agencies members for arresting the suspects as part of ensuring the wellbeing and safety of our communities during the Christmas holidays.
Safer Festive Season operations continue as more than one thousand suspects are apprehendedhttps://t.co/ikmYG0THcJ#ArriveAlive #DrugsOffTheStreets @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/Im825hfBCD
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) December 29, 2025
