\n\t\tThe suspects were arrested for murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, rape, assault, burglary, drug trafficking, and more.\n\t<\/p>\n
\u201cBarely two weeks into 2026, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has already taken nearly 19 000 suspects into custody for crimes committed across the country during nationwide operations.<\/p>\n
Just this past week, 5 to 11 January 2026, police arrested 18 970 suspects for various charges, including murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, rape, assault, burglary, drug trafficking, and more.<\/p>\n
Arrests<\/p>\n
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said another 2 247 wanted suspects were arrested for serious crimes, including murder, rape, sexual assault, robberies, car hijackings and many other serious crimes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition, 132 unlicensed firearms, ranging from handguns, rifles, homemade guns, to shotguns, were seized during this period. Police also seized 888 rounds of ammunition and 179 explosives.\u201d<\/p>\n
Van Wyk also shared details of other key arrests in other provinces.<\/p>\n
ALSO READ: Police arrest more than 16k suspects and seize over 600 000 litres of alcohol in one week<\/a><\/p>\n Gauteng<\/p>\n In Gauteng, police arrested a 36-year-old man in Roodepoort after recovering two rifles (an AK-47 and a 308 rifle), a magazine, and more than 80 rounds of ammunition.<\/p>\n \u201cActing on information received on 5 January 2026, the Gauteng Organised Crime Tracing Team and Police Emergency Services Flexi searched a house and seized the unlicensed firearms. <\/p>\n \u201cThe suspect faces charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and will appear in the Roodepoort Magistrate Court,\u201d Van Wyk said.<\/p>\n Gauteng police also handcuffed a 47-year-old foreign national who was arrested in Johannesburg CBD, and 10 teenage boys were rescued in a joint operation by Fox Security, JMPD, SAPS Mondeor and the Hawks\u2019 trafficking unit.<\/p>\n Eight half-naked teens were found walking in Mulbarton, while two more were recovered after a high-speed chase involving a blue VW Jetta.<\/p>\n Van Wyk said the suspect faces charges of illegal immigration and suspected human trafficking.<\/p>\n A 33-year-old foreign national was also arrested in Malvern East on 9 January 2026 after police found him with military explosives.<\/p>\n The man is expected to appear in the Germiston Magistrate\u2019s Court on charges of possession.<\/p>\n