Nearly 400 illegal immigrants were among 692 suspects arrested during a massive police crackdown across Limpopo, just two days before the planned national shutdown on June 30 over South Africa’s illegal immigration crisis.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said 396 illegal immigrants were among the suspects arrested during Operation Shanela II, a province-wide operation conducted between 22 and 28 June 2026.
Ledwaba said the high-density operation, carried out across all five districts in partnership with various law enforcement agencies and stakeholders, targeted wanted suspects, violent crime, drug trafficking, illegal liquor trading, immigration-related offences and other criminal activities threatening the safety and security of communities.
The districts are Mopani, Waterberg, Sekhukhune, Vhembe and Capricorn
Among those arrested were suspects linked to five murders, two attempted murders, one armed robbery, seven rapes, 38 cases of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), 52 common assaults, six business burglaries, three residential burglaries, two cases of theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles, and 25 cases of malicious damage to property.
Ledwaba also said police also arrested eight suspects for dealing in drugs, 68 for possession of drugs, 30 for illegal dealing in liquor, eight for possession of illegal cigarettes, 16 for possession of dangerous weapons, one for illegal possession of a firearm, and 26 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Detectives also tracked down and arrested six wanted suspects linked to serious crimes, including house robbery, business robbery and assault GBH.
The operation led to the confiscation and recovery of 1.05kg of dagga, 5.06 grams of crystal meth (tik), one firearm, 22 dangerous weapons, 278.7 litres of alcoholic beverages, 134 packets of tobacco products, two motor vehicles and substantial amount of cash.
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe commended police officers and partner law enforcement agencies for their commitment to ensuring that criminals are brought to book.
Hadebe said Operation Shanela II remains a key crime-fighting intervention aimed at disrupting criminal activities, removing dangerous weapons and illicit substances from communities, and enhancing public safety throughout the province.
The arrested suspects have already started appearing before various magistrates’ courts across Limpopo.
