The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Tshwane has intensified efforts to combat crime following a large-scale multidisciplinary operation that led to the arrest of 355 suspects across Pretoria Central and Pretoria West.
The operation, conducted on Thursday, 5 March 2026, formed part of the ongoing Operation Shanela and was led by Tshwane District Commissioner Major-General Samuel Thine. Various law enforcement agencies and partners took part in the deployment, including the Department of Home Affairs, Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD), Gauteng Provincial Traffic, the Department of Community Safety, and local Community Policing Forums (CPFs).
The operation began on Wednesday evening when detectives tracked down wanted suspects, continuing their work into the early hours of Thursday morning. Their efforts resulted in 275 arrests. Among those apprehended were three suspects for murder, five for attempted murder, six for armed robbery, and six for rape. Police also arrested 91 individuals for gender-based violence-related offences, highlighting continued efforts to protect vulnerable members of the community.
Meanwhile, uniformed police officers conducted roadblocks and patrols, searching 519 individuals and 274 vehicles. During these operations, officers verified 85 vehicles to confirm they were not stolen and detained 59 undocumented immigrants who will be processed by immigration authorities.
Liquor law enforcement also formed part of the operation. Authorities inspected 26 liquor outlets, with eight establishments being shut down and fined for contravening the Liquor Act. A total of 953,260 millilitres of alcohol was confiscated.
Traffic officials also issued 73 AARTO infringement notices amounting to R28,550 for various traffic violations.
During patrols across 27 identified crime hotspots, police arrested a suspect found in possession of 589 ziplock bags of nyaope along with an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect will face charges of drug dealing and bribery after allegedly attempting to offer money to officers in exchange for his release.
Major-General Thine commended the members of the police and their partners for their continued dedication in ensuring the safety of communities across Tshwane. He also expressed appreciation to all stakeholders involved in the successful operation.
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