Police intensified crime prevention efforts across Gauteng over the weekend, with a major operation targeting motorists, wanted suspects, drugs and other offences.

A total of 1,118 suspects were arrested during the multidisciplinary Operation Shanela conducted across the province’s five policing districts.

Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, led a high-density operation in the Ivory Park policing precinct in Ekurhuleni on Saturday, 26 September.

A roadblock conducted during the operation resulted in 23 arrests for alleged immigration offences. Nine motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, while 13 suspects were arrested for possession of drugs.

Police also impounded a maroon minibus after allegedly discovering that its engine had been tampered with.

Gauteng detectives accounted for 677 of the arrests during tracing operations targeting suspects wanted for various crimes. This included 154 arrests linked to crimes against women and children.

The weekend operation brought together SAPS, the Department of Home Affairs, traffic law enforcement agencies, Community Policing Forums, Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens and private security companies.

Police said the integrated approach is aimed at increasing visibility, preventing crime and responding to criminal activity across communities.

The latest operation comes as SAPS continues its wider Operation Shanela II campaign. The national police service has reported thousands of arrests through the initiative in recent weeks, with operations targeting offences including murder, robbery, drug-related crimes, illegal firearms and immigration violations.

Gauteng police said similar crime prevention operations will continue as part of efforts to maintain law and order and improve safety across the province.