More than 700 wanted suspects arrested during Operation Shanela

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Seven hundred and seventy-seven suspects who have been on the run were apprehended as law enforcement agencies embarked on Operation Shanela 2 over the weekend.

The operation was led by deputy provincial commissioner of the police in Gauteng responsible for crime detection also acting as deputy provincial commissioner for policing, Major General Mbuso Khumalo.

These suspects were arrested for serious and violent crimes that include murder, attempted murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, robbery, rape and sexual assault.

Operation Shanela 2 was conducted across all five districts in the province from Friday, 10 October to Sunday, 12 October 2025, confirmed Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo.

According to Masondo, two hundred and fifty-five of these wanted suspects were arrested in Tshwane District.

Adding that one hundred and ninety-six suspects were arrested in Johannesburg District.

“Ekurhuleni saw one hundred and thirty-seven wanted suspects being arrested while one hundred and eighty-six suspects were arrested in Sedibeng and West Rand Districts.

Suspects nabbed at Operation Shanela to appear in Courts

“Two hundred and sixty-five other suspects were arrested as police embarked on roadblocks, stop-and-searches as well as compliance checks on liquor outlets,” he explained.

Masondo stated that the arrested suspects will appear before different magistrate courts in Gauteng in due course.

Meanwhile, a successful multi-disciplinary operation led to the arrest of two individuals for the possession of suspected stolen property on Saturday, 11 October 2025 at approximately 08:00.

Free State police spokesperson, Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli said the teams acting on information, visited a shack in the Mbeki section in Tumahole, Parys that was allegedly operating as an illegal scrapyard.

“Upon arrival, officers found two African males, believed to be foreign nationals, between the ages of 29 and 32, busy weighing the copper cables on an electronic scale.

​”The suspects attempted to flee when they realised police were entering the premises, but members quickly managed to apprehend them. Two electronic scales and a copper cable were seized.

​”Further investigation revealed that the suspects are using a horse cart and the animal was found to be badly injured. The SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) was immediately notified and took custody of the horse for veterinary care,” he remarked.

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Sgt Kareli said the two suspects were arrested for possession of suspected stolen property and are expected to appear in the Parys magistrate’s court soon.

In another incident, on Thursday, 9 October 2025 Tumahole Crime Prevention members while conducting routine patrols in Schonkenville, successfully arrested a 34-year-old male suspect for the alleged possession and dealing in drugs. After drugs such as Khat and crystal meth were found in his possession.