More than 2 200 suspects have been arrested for various offences during a week-long Operation Shanela conducted across Limpopo.
The South African Police Service says 2 234 suspects were arrested between 7 and 13 September 2026 in operations conducted with other law-enforcement agencies and stakeholders.
Among those arrested are nine suspects for murder, seven for attempted murder, 36 for rape, 139 for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and 206 for drug-related offences.
Police also arrested 241 undocumented immigrants, 101 people for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, 23 for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and 19 for contravening the Domestic Violence Act.
A total of 13 firearms and 121 rounds of ammunition were seized, along with 40 dangerous weapons and 38 knives.
Police also confiscated more than 244 000 counterfeit cigarette sticks, drugs including dagga, crystal methamphetamine and heroin, as well as more than 1.4 million millilitres of liquor.
Five stolen or robbed vehicles were recovered.
The operation included roadblocks, stop-and-searches, vehicle inspections, blue-light patrols, crime prevention operations and liquor and drug control operations.
Police issued 2 181 fines for various offences.
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers welcomed the arrests and seizures, describing them as critical interventions in the fight against violent crime.
Some of the suspects have already appeared in various magistrates’ courts across the province.
