STELLALANDER-VRYBURG: The North West police have reaffirmed the authority of the state through the arrest of 1 250 suspects during the weekly integrated and multidisciplinary Safer Festive Season Operations.
The arrests were made between Monday, 17 November and Sunday, 23 November 2025, and involved suspects linked to a wide range of crimes, including residential and business burglaries, aggravated robberies, murder, rape, drug dealing and possession, and driving under the influence of alcohol. Of the 1 250 suspects, 423 were traced and arrested by detectives, specifically those listed as wanted suspects.
As part of efforts to curb crime generators, police conducted extensive compliance inspections at liquor outlets and second-hand goods dealers. These inspections resulted in the closure of 35 unlicensed liquor outlets (shebeens) and the confiscation of large quantities of alcohol. Additional seizures included seven vehicles, five firearms, 95 rounds of ammunition, two wheelbarrows, and various housebreaking implements. In Rustenburg and Phokeng, within the Bojanala Sub-District 2, a joint operation involving the Provincial Proactive Drugs Operation, Anti-Gang Unit, Rustenburg Crime Intelligence, Tactical Response Team (TRT) and Bafokeng Protective Services led to the arrest of 10 male suspects for possession of suspected illegal substances. The suspects included two South Africans, three Tanzanians and five Nigerians. Officers also seized R25 500 in cash, believed to be the proceeds of crime, and a variety of drugs, crystal meth, khat, mandrax, heroin and nyaope, estimated at a street value of R670 000. In the Dr Ruth S. Mompati District, three multidisciplinary inter-provincial roadblocks were held on the N18, N12 and N14 routes between the North West and Northern Cape on Tuesday, 18 November. A total of 1 221 vehicles were stopped, and 15 traffic fines were issued. Acting Provincial Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, welcomed the achievements and reaffirmed the police’s commitment to maintaining high-density operations. He added that, through continued collaboration with JOINTS partners, law enforcement will work to stabilise crime hotspots and ensure public safety across the province.
