Festive Season Blitz: SAPS Arrest 300 Suspects During Crime Operations in Northern Cape

• SAPS arrested more than 300 suspects in the Northern Cape during festive season operations targeting serious and violent crime
• Police shut down 39 unlicensed liquor outlets and arrested motorists for drunk driving during roadblocks
• The arrests form part of a nationwide SAPS campaign to intensify crime prevention over the festive period

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested more than 300 suspects in the Northern Cape so far during the festive season. The arrests relate to a range of offences, including murder, attempted murder, assault and drug-related crimes.

According to SABC News, which shared the update on its X account, police also conducted compliance inspections at several second-hand goods dealers, liquor outlets, farms and scrap yards. These operations resulted in the closure of 39 unlicensed liquor premises.

Provincial police spokesperson Cherelle Ehlers has called on motorists to exercise caution and act responsibly over the festive period. She said law enforcement officers arrested 10 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol during roadblock operations at vehicle checkpoints, warning that drunk driving, speeding and other traffic offences would be dealt with decisively.

Read also

Bekkersdal community points to illegal mining turf wars after tavern massacre

SAPS records further festive season successes

In another post, the SAPS shares that 20 274 suspects across the country have been arrested between 15 and 21 December 2025. The police say this shows the intensified fight against crime during the current festive season. Police said the figures reflect an intensified fight against crime during the festive season.

The festive season campaign is running concurrently with Operation Shanela, which has seen more than 1,283 suspects arrested for the illegal liquor trade, while 2,520 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

During this period, 58 suspects were arrested for murder and 165 for attempted murder. Police also apprehended 180 suspects for rape and 92 for aggravated armed robbery.

In addition, 1,772 suspects were arrested for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. A further 1,940 wanted suspects were apprehended for serious crimes, including murder, rape, carjackings, robberies and the illegal possession of firearms. Another 555 suspects were arrested for possession of dangerous weapons.

Read also

Bapong Illegal Mine Crackdown: Police Arrest 21 Suspects

Related crime reports

Previously, Briefly reported that SAPS stated they had arrested 16,817 suspects since the start of December as part of Operation Shanela II, aimed at ensuring a safer festive season. These arrests included suspects wanted for serious crimes such as murder, rape, attempted murder, drug offences and human trafficking.

According to SAPS, intelligence-driven operations and tracing units led to the arrest of 2,626 suspects. The suspects were wanted for serious and violent crimes, including murder, attempted murder, rape, car hijackings, sexual offences, and house and business robberies.

In a related incident, Briefly reported that 12 people were killed in the mass shooting, at an illegal tavern inside a hostel in Saulsville on 6 December 2025. A further 13 people were injured and taken to hospital after three armed men stormed the tavern at around 4am and opened fire indiscriminately.

National Police Commissioner Major General Fanie Masemola addressed the deadly shooting during a media briefing on 8 December 2025. He confirmed that three suspects had been identified in connection with the murders and revealed that one of them had been released on parole in September. Police are still investigating the motive for the attack.

Read also

Bekkersdal residents living in fear after fatal shooting claimed 9 lives

In another incident, police arrested an alleged serial rapist and his co-accused for allegedly targeting victims and luring them through e-hailing services. In some instances, the suspects reportedly used marriage proposals to deceive and rob women.

Police said one of the suspects used a victim’s WhatsApp account to lure her friends, who were then kidnapped and sexually assaulted. The two suspects have been linked to at least eight cases of kidnapping, rape and robbery and appeared in the Booysens Magistrates’ Court.

Source: Briefly News