Gauteng police arrest over 1 200 suspects in one day in the Vaal
Gauteng police have arrested more than 1 200 suspects during its high-density operation, Operation Shanela, in Vanderbijlpark in the Vaal, south of Johannesburg, overnight into this morning.
Among those arrested were 964 wanted suspects, 253 for crimes against women and children, 59 undocumented immigrants and two suspects for possession of unlicensed firearms.
Gauteng Police spokesperson Tintswalo Sibeko says the arrested suspects will appear in court soon.
“The Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni led yet another successful multidisciplinary High-Density Operation Shanela 2 in Vanderbijlpark policing precinct, Sedibeng District where 59 illegal immigrants were apprehended. Two firearms recovered and two suspects arrested for possession of unlicensed firearm and three individuals arrested for possession of drugs. Three liquor outlets closed for non- compliance with the regulations.”
#sapsGP [LEADING FROM THE FRONT] PC, Lt Gen Tommy Mthombeni, has led yet another successful multidisciplinary high-density #OperationShanela II in Vanderbiljpark policing precinct in the Sedibeng District where 59 undocumented persons were apprehended.
Two firearms were… https://t.co/OSYALrib0K pic.twitter.com/MflTwEv0DN
— SA Police Service (@SAPoliceService) January 29, 2026