Kimberley — A province-wide, intelligence-led policing drive carried out between 10 and 16 August resulted in hundreds of arrests, the closure of unlicensed liquor outlets and the seizure of large quantities of alcohol and drugs, Northern Cape police reported.
Multi-disciplinary operation targeted crime hotspots
The initiative, branded Operation Shanela II, brought together the SAPS, other law-enforcement agencies and several government departments in a concentrated effort to disrupt criminal activity and bolster safety across all five Northern Cape districts, the provincial police said.
Police described the week of activity as high density and intelligence driven, with teams conducting vehicle control points (VCPs), roadblocks, stop-and-searches, targeted foot and vehicle patrols, and enforcement visits to farms, mines and both formal and informal businesses.
Numbers from the enforcement week
Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane, the provincial police spokesperson, provided the operational totals, which show the scale of the effort.
| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
| People stopped and searched | 8 252 |
| Vehicles checked | 4 039 |
| Arrests | 223 |
| Wanted suspects detained | 46 |
| Unlicensed liquor premises closed | 21 |
Offences for which arrests were made included robbery, possession and dealing of drugs, murder, attempted murder, burglary, malicious damage to property, stock theft and breaches relating to undocumented persons, the spokesperson said.
“As part of the intensified operations, female police officers conducted high-density policing activities under Operation Basadi, supported by their male counterparts across all five districts of the Northern Cape,” Shemane said.
Targeted inspections and compliance checks
Enforcement teams also carried out compliance inspections at second-hand goods dealers, liquor outlets, farms, mines and other businesses to ensure adherence to relevant legislation and to identify activities that may encourage crime.
As part of those inspections, the provincial police reported the closure of 21 unlicensed liquor premises for failing to comply with regulatory requirements. Officers also confiscated what Shemane described as thousands of litres of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances during the week of operations.
- Roadblocks and VCPs were used to check identity and vehicle documentation and to search for illicit goods.
- Targeted tracing by detectives led to the arrest of people wanted on outstanding matters.
- Both urban and rural locations were inspected, including farms and mines where stock theft and illicit trade can be of particular concern.
Women-led policing component
The operation included a specific component known as Operation Basadi, under which female officers were placed at the forefront of high-intensity visible policing. Shemane said women officers were supported by male colleagues throughout the province.
Community safety groups and local businesses in several towns reported increased police visibility during the week. While police have highlighted the immediate results of the operation, they also said such multi-agency drives form part of ongoing efforts to deter criminal networks and address persistent priority crimes.
What residents should know
Police urged communities to continue cooperating with law enforcement by reporting suspicious activity and ensuring personal and property documentation is in order when stopped at roadblocks or VCPs. People with information about wanted persons are encouraged to provide details to local stations to assist detectives in tracing suspects.
Warrant Officer Shemane framed the operation as another step in a sustained campaign across the Northern Cape, emphasising that compliance inspections and targeted patrols would continue as part of provincial crime-fighting strategies.
Further details on the amounts and types of drugs seized and the disposition of arrested suspects were not provided in the provincial statement.
Local residents with specific concerns about crime in their areas may contact their nearest police station or the provincial SAPS communication office for advice on reporting and safety measures.
