Different law enforcement at Operation Shanela in Mamelodi Tshwane photos supplied
By Captain Johan van Dyk
Tshwane District Communication Coordinator
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Tshwane continued its crime-combatting efforts through a integrated, zero-tolerance operation with Operation Shanela, that was on conducted on Thursday, 13 November 2025, in the Mamelodi-West and Mamelodi-East policing precincts.
These operations form part of SAPS Tshwane’s ongoing commitment to combat crime across the Metropolitan.
The operation was once again planned and executed under the command of the District Commissioner of Tshwane, Major-General Samuel Thine, and included members from various SAPS units across the district. The multidisciplinary team further comprised officials from the Department of Home Affairs, the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD), Gauteng Traffic Police, the Department of Community Safety, and Community Policing Forums (CPFs).
Detectives once again started the operation on Wednesday night and apprehended 302 suspects for various criminal offences, including 3 for murder, 13 for attempted murder, 7 for armed robbery, and 2 for rape.
In the early hours of Thursday morning, three operational teams were assembled and deployed to conduct roadblocks, compliance inspections, and crime-combatting duties.
These efforts resulted in the detention of 43 undocumented foreign nationals, who were handed over to immigration authorities.
A total of 678 persons and 409 vehicles were searched during the operation.
Police conducted patrols at 23 identified hotspots.
This resulted in the arrest of 6 persons for possession and dealing in drugs when 4 Mandrax tablets, 8 sachets of crystal meth and 70 sachets of Nyaope and an undisclosed amount of cash.
1 person was arrested for smoking Dagga in a public area.
With ongoing tracing of suspects, another person was arrested for attempted murder and possession of ammunition.
17 liquor outlets were inspected for compliance with the Liquor Act. 9 outlets were closed after being found non-compliant, and 570 820 ml of liquor was confiscated. Additionally, 1 person were arrested for public drinking.
One individual was also arrested for possession of a VW Golf, that forms part of a fraud investigation.
Traffic officials played a vital role by issuing 152 AARTO infringement notices amounting to R76 850, while 20 vehicles were impounded for non-compliance with the Road Traffic Act.
District Commissioner Major-General Samuel Thine thanked all participating departments and stakeholders for their continued collaboration and commitment.
Tshwane Talks readers have been able to read stories in this publication for free for over two years now. We still want our readers to access our stories for free, but we are asking those among our readers who can afford it to contribute at least R30 a month to cover some of the costs of publishing this independent, non-aligned online newspaper which gives a voice to all sectors of society irrespective of race, colour, creed, religion, or political affiliation. You may make your contribution by depositing at least R30 a month into Tshwane Talks' bank account. Details are as follows:
Bank Details
Bank: Standard Bank
Account Number: 10225548834
Account Type: Cheque Account