Johannesburg: The South African Police Service (SAPS) ongoing nationwide crime-fighting operations have resulted in the arrest of 15,884 suspects for various crimes between 13 and 19 April 2026. The operations also involved intelligence-driven raids conducted by detectives to trace and arrest 1,822 wanted suspects linked to murder, attempted murder, rape, carjacking, illegal possession of firearms, assault GBH (Grievous Bodily Harm), and house and business robberies.
According to South African Government News Agency, among those arrested are two Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality senior officials on charges of fraud, corruption, and defeating and or obstructing the ends of justice. These suspects appeared before the Boksburg Magistrate's Court on Monday. The police are also intensifying operations targeted at combating the trade of illicit cigarettes, aiming to curb the smuggling, distribution, and sale of illegal tobacco products.
On 17 April 2026, police successfully intercepted a truck loaded with illicit cigarettes along the Molatedi Road in Mabeskraal, leading to the arrest of a 35-year-old Botswana national for possession of illicit cigarettes with an estimated street value of over R2 million. In addition, a 44-year-old man was arrested, and illicit cigarettes with an estimated value of R1,663,045 were confiscated during a stop-and-search operation conducted at Muswodi village, in Limpopo, on 16 April 2026.
Other key arrests include 115 for murder, 128 for attempted murder, 179 for rape, and 5 for attempted rape. There were 1,258 arrests for assault GBH, 508 for possession of dangerous weapons, 95 for illegal possession of ammunition, 330 for dealing in drugs, and 2,856 for possession of drugs, with 1,845 cases in the Western Cape alone. Additionally, 757 individuals were apprehended for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, 871 for illegally dealing in liquor, and 1,767 for illegal immigration-related offenses.
Confiscations and recoveries during the operations included 128 illegal firearms, 1,247 rounds of ammunition, 859 dangerous weapons, 52 stolen and hijacked vehicles, and more than 41,000 liters of alcohol.
Provincial breakdowns highlighted several noteworthy incidents. In Gauteng, a Tactical Response Team intercepted a hijacked vehicle with false plates on 13 April 2026 in Sebokeng. The suspects opened fire, leading to a chase and shootout, resulting in the suspect's vehicle overturning and both suspects dying at the scene. Police confiscated a firearm and explosives, confirming the vehicle was stolen in Carletonville in January 2026.
In addition, two suspects were arrested for an ATM bombing on 15 April 2026. One was found with dye-stained cash in Orlando East, and the other with explosives in Diepkloof. Both were linked to the Kliprivier ATM bombing in February 2026 and are facing charges of possession of explosives and suspected stolen money. Police also recovered two unlicensed 9mm pistols and 92 rounds of ammunition from four suspects in Jeppe, Johannesburg, on 13 April 2026. The suspects, aged between 23 and 37, were arrested.
Meanwhile, in Mpumalanga, police arrested three suspects in April for extorting workers at the Tekwane West dumping site, demanding 'protection fees.' Additionally, police in KwaZulu-Natal arrested six suspects in Umhlali for evading arrest after a shootout that took place on 28 March 2026. They have been linked to the murder of a 52-year-old farmer in Riet Valley and multiple robberies.
