SAPS Net Multiple Suspects in Weekend Crime Crackdown in Gqeberha

The Nelson Mandela Bay District SAPS continued its determined fight against serious crime this past weekend under #OperationShanela2, an intelligence-driven, high-impact initiative aimed at dismantling criminal networks and removing illegal weapons from circulation.

The latest operation — spanning from Thursday, 30 October to Saturday, 1 November 2025 — delivered major successes across the district, with multiple arrests, the recovery of stolen property, and the seizure of firearms and ammunition. Police officials praised the collaborative efforts of specialised units and community informants, crediting intelligence-led policing for the swift breakthroughs.

Swift Arrests After Attempted Hijacking in Wells Estate

On Thursday, 30 October 2025, at approximately 14:10, officers conducting stop-and-search operations in Wells Estate received a report of an attempted hijacking on Addo Road near the PPC cement factory.

The hijacked vehicle, a white VW Polo, was later spotted in Summerstrand, near the Boardwalk shopping precinct. Police reacted immediately and intercepted the vehicle, arresting four suspects aged between 19 and 35.

Inside the car, officers recovered two stolen Samsung cellphones (A30 and A31) and an undisclosed amount of cash belonging to the victim. During a detailed inspection, they also discovered three firearms — a rifle and two 9mm pistols — which were later identified as blank-firing replicas.

Further investigation led officers to NU29, Motherwell, where information from the suspects guided them to a local shop. There, police arrested a 32-year-old Ethiopian male found in unlawful possession of the real firearm allegedly used during the attempted hijacking.

All five suspects were detained on charges of possession of dangerous weapons and possession of suspected stolen property.

Abduction and Hijacking Crackdown in Gelvandale and New Brighton

In a separate case, on Friday, 31 October 2025, the Nelson Mandela Bay Crime Combatting Unit followed up on intelligence linked to an abduction and hijacking that occurred in the Gelvandale policing precinct the previous day.

A white VW Polo, believed to have been involved, was spotted travelling along Avenue C in New Brighton. Police stopped the vehicle and escorted the driver to Swartkops SAPS for a search.

The suspect, a 34-year-old male, was found in possession of 20 live rounds of ammunition and a black Nasty Vape, both confirmed as items stolen during the hijacking. Further investigation led officers to a storage area in New Brighton where they uncovered stolen stock worth approximately R150 000 hidden by the suspect.

The man was arrested and faces charges of unlawful possession of ammunition and possession of suspected stolen property.

High-Speed Kidnapping Drama on the R75 Ends in Shootout

On Saturday, 1 November 2025, at around 19:20, the Nelson Mandela Bay Crime Combatting Unit received urgent information about a kidnapping incident in Somerset East.

According to police reports, two vehicles — a silver-grey VW Polo and a white Mazda CX5 belonging to the victim — were seen travelling at high speed towards Uitenhage (Kariega) via the R75.

Acting swiftly, SAPS members established a roadblock at the Kariega entrance. The grey Polo failed to stop and later crashed, resulting in the immediate arrest of its driver.

Moments later, the Mazda CX5 attempted to evade capture, leading to a high-speed chase along the R75. The vehicle eventually overturned near the Daniel Pienaar off-ramp, and three suspects exited — two opening fire on police officers.

During the exchange of gunfire, one suspect was fatally wounded, another was arrested, and a third escaped into nearby bushes, evading capture despite an extensive K9-assisted search.

The 40-year-old Ethiopian male victim was rescued unharmed, and the scene was secured for ballistic and forensic investigation.

The arrested suspects now face multiple charges, including kidnapping, attempted murder on police officials, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and reckless or negligent driving.

Ongoing Court Proceedings and District Response

All suspects arrested during the weekend operations are expected to appear in their respective local courts within the Nelson Mandela Bay District on Monday, 3 November 2025.

District Commander Major-General Vuyisile Ncata commended the operational teams for their precision, discipline, and commitment to ensuring public safety. He reaffirmed that Operation Shanela will continue to intensify across all precincts as part of the SAPS’ nationwide strategy to disrupt organised crime, seize illegal firearms, and restore public confidence in policing.

#OperationShanela2: Zero Tolerance for Violent Crime

Since its launch, Operation Shanela has been a cornerstone of the SAPS’ proactive crime prevention strategy, particularly in the Eastern Cape, where violent and trio crimes (carjacking, armed robbery, and house robbery) remain major priorities.

The operation combines visible policing, intelligence gathering, tactical raids, and stop-and-search initiatives targeting known hotspots. The recent successes in Nelson Mandela Bay underscore the importance of community cooperation, with informants and residents playing a vital role in providing timely information that leads to arrests.

Police have reiterated that public participation remains essential. Citizens are urged to report suspicious activity, store CCTV footage, and use the MySAPS App to submit anonymous tips.