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CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR
267 ALLEGED DRUG DEALERS AMONGST 17 914 ARRESTED, MORE DRUG LABS DISMANTLED, RAW COCAINE WORTH R200 MIL SEIZED AT ORTIA, 164 ILLEGAL FIREARMS AND 1 425 ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION RECOVERED
As the country approaches the festive season, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has intensified its crime-fighting efforts through nationwide Safer Festive Season operations, alongside Operation Shanela II. These operations resulted in the arrest of 17,914 suspects for various offences this week.
Detectives traced and arrested 2 851 of these individuals who are wanted for offences ranging from organised crime and drug trafficking to other serious offences in the last seven days.
The SAPS continues to deal organised criminal networks involved in the manufacture, transportation, and distribution of illicit drugs a decisive blow.
Just this past week alone, through intelligence-led operations, SAPS dismantled major drug supply chains and arrested 267 alleged drug dealers, while a further 3,039 suspects were apprehended for possession of drugs.
Police in the Western Cape recorded the highest number suspects arrested for possession of drugs at 1,841.
The ongoing fight against the illicit drug trade has delivered significant victories which include the seizure of raw cocaine valued at more than R200 million at the OR Tambo International Airport. The drugs had arrived on a flight from São Paulo, Brazil.
Additionally, SAPS discovered and dismantled two drug laboratories during separate intelligence-driven operations in Gauteng and North West province.
Crime Intelligence, in collaboration with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), uncovered a multi-million-rand drug manufacturing laboratory on a farm in Krugersdorp, Gauteng. Large quantities of Mandrax and ecstasy tablets were seized, and five South African nationals were arrested.
Moreover, police arrested four suspects and dismantled a suspected clandestine drug laboratory in Ramokokastad, North West. Chemicals, specialised equipment, and materials believed to be used in the production of Mandrax and crystal meth were confiscated.
In another drug bust, a team operating under OPERATION UKUBUZA has arrested a 38-year-old suspect in Gqeberha on Saturday, 17 October 2026, and seized drugs valued at over R9.7 million.
*Key arrests recorded between 19 to 25 October 2026 include* :
140 – Murder
151 – Attempted murder
266 – Rape
10 – Attempted rape
120 – Illegal possession of firearm
545 – Possession of a dangerous weapon
267 – Dealing in drugs
3,039 – Possession of drugs
1,932 – Assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH)
679 – Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
1,423 – Contravention of the Immigration Act
607 – Illegal dealing in liquor
80 – Armed robbery
*Under confiscations and recoveries this week* :
164 – Unlicensed firearms of different calibres seized. Police in KZN seized majority of the unlicensed handguns at 49, followed by Western Cape with 33;
1 425 – Rounds of ammunition;
765 – Dangerous weapons;
57 – Hijacked and stolen vehicles recovered; and
Different types of drugs
*Operational highlights per province* :
*EASTERN CAPE* : Five suspects arrested in Stutterheim for fraud, possession of suspected stolen property and possession of a stolen vehicle. The case relates to fraud exceeding R1.7 million.
*FREE STATE* : On 23 October 2026, the Ficksburg High Court sentenced Tumelo Tsiu (32) and Lineo Walatsa (30), both Lesotho nationals, to four life terms and an additional nine months imprisonment for murder, attempted murder and contravention of the Immigration Act.
Tsiu and Walatsa were extradited from Lesotho after committing a double murder in June 2024. A third accused, Seun Moloi, was fatally wounded two weeks before the trial commenced.
The extradition follows months of meticulous collaboration between SAPS and Lesotho law enforcement agencies, facilitated through international legal frameworks.
*GAUTENG* : An intelligence-driven operation has foiled a suspected ATM bombing following the interception of four suspects and the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and a vehicle.
The operation was conducted in the early hours of Saturday, 24 October 2026, following intelligence received about suspects who were allegedly in possession of unlicensed firearms and explosives and were planning robberies, targeting ATMs at Zebediela in Limpopo province.
*KWAZULU-NATAL* : Police in KwaZulu-Natal have taken in five persons of interest for further investigation into the murder, attempted murder, and assault of foreign nationals during protests in Durban. The five males were taken in during ongoing protests outside the Home Affairs offices on Che Guevara Road in Umbilo on Friday afternoon.
*LIMPOPO* : A Zimbabwean national has been arrested in Musina after police seized illicit cigarettes worth R1.5 million and vehicles valued at R600 000.
Still in Limpopo, A 42-year-old man sentenced to life imprisonment for raping and impregnating his 15-year-old daughter in Zaaiplaas.
*MPUMALANGA* : Police seized 55 bags of compressed dagga weighing 1680 kg with an estimated street value of about R12 million. Three suspects were arrested for possession of dagga on 19 October 2026.
In addition, six Eswatini nationals were arrested in Mahamba and Carolina after police seized over 325 kg of dagga worth around R2 million. Near Oshoek, two suspects were arrested following the seizure of 272.65 kg of dagga, a firearm, and ammunition.
*NORTHERN CAPE* : The Kathu Magistrates’ Court sentenced a 35-year-old accused to 12 years’ imprisonment for rape and theft following a violent attack on an 18-year-old victim in Deben, Kathu. The victim was on her way to her aunt's residence when she was violently attacked and raped by the accused.
Sadly, the victim passed away on 19 March 2026, before the finalisation of the case.
*NORTH WEST* : Police discovered another suspected clandestine drug laboratory at Thabeng Section, Ramokokastad, in Mogwase, close to Sun City on Friday, 23 October 2026. During the operation, the police discovered and seized a substantial quantity of items and materials suspected to be used in the manufacturing of illicit drugs.
The discovery was made after police executed a search and seizure warrant, following information received from a source about suspected drug manufacturing activities at the premises.
*WESTERN CAPE* : Five gang-affiliated suspects arrested following a double murder that occurred in Steenberg on 09 October 2026. Two assault rifles were recovered after a high-speed chase.
These successes illustrate the SAPS’s unwavering commitment to pursue those who threaten the safety, security, and well-being of communities across the country.
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