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July 20, 2026Mpumalanga police arrested more than 1,100 suspects and recovered 12 unlicensed firearms during the latest Operation Shanela 2 and other crime-combating operations conducted across the province over the weekend.
According to police, the arrests included 54 suspects for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), 16 for murder, 18 for rape, 50 for driving under the influence of alcohol, and 111 undocumented foreign nationals.
Additional suspects were arrested for a range of serious and violent crimes, including attempted murder, armed robbery, car hijacking, and house robbery.
The high-density operation was led by Mpumalanga Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, who was joined by Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu, MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison Jackie Macie, and other senior police officials during a roadblock conducted in the Calcutta policing precinct.
Police said some of the arrested suspects were released after paying admission of guilt fines, while the remaining suspects are expected to appear before various magistrates’ courts across Mpumalanga on Monday, 20 July 2026.
The South African Police Service says Operation Shanela 2 remains a key initiative in its ongoing efforts to combat crime, remove illegal firearms from communities, and enhance public safety throughout the province.
