Several suspects are due to appear in court for various crimes, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has said, due to the
Nelson Mandela Bay District in the Eastern Cape's continued relentless fight against crime over the weekend through, Operation Shanela II.
The operation yielded significant successes, including the recovery of stolen property, firearms, and ammunition.
“These results reflect the South African Police Service’s ongoing commitment to restoring safety, maintaining order and ensuring that offenders are brought to justice,” said the police in a statement.
On Thursday 30 October 2025, stop-and-search operations in Wells Estate, resulted in the arrest of four suspects. This as a complainant identified his stolen VW Polo, two Samsung cell phones (A30 and A31) and an undisclosed amount of cash which were found in the suspects’ possession.
Upon further inspection, police also discovered three firearms in the vehicle, however, it was later established that the rifle and both 9mm pistols were blank firearms.
“Following information provided by the arrested suspects, police were led to a shop in NU29 in Motherwell where they had allegedly left the real firearm used during the crime.
“Members proceeded to the Motherwell and found an Ethiopian male (32) unlawfully in possession of the firearm. The four suspects were detained on possession of dangerous weapons, possession of suspected stolen property,” the police said.
In another unrelated success, on Friday 31 October 2025, the Nelson Mandela Bay District Crime combatting unit followed up on information related to an abduction and hijacking case that occurred in the Gelvandale policing precinct.
A white VW Polo linked to the incident was stopped in Avenue C, New Brighton, and the driver was escorted to Swartkops SAPS for a search. The suspect was found in possession of 20 live rounds of ammunition and a black Nasty Vape, matching the items stolen during the Gelvandale hijacking.
The suspect was arrested, and further investigation led to the recovery of stolen stock valued at approximately R150,000, which had been hidden by the suspect in New Brighton. The suspect was arrested on charges of unlawful possession of ammunition and possession of suspected stolen property.
On Saturday 01 November 2025, the Nelson Mandela Bay District Crime combatting unit received information about a kidnapping in Somerset East involving two vehicles, a silver/grey VW Polo and a white Mazda CX5 belonging to the victim travelling at high speed toward Uitenhage via the R75.
Acting swiftly, members set up a roadblock at the entrance to Kariega. The grey Polo later crashed, and its occupant was arrested.
The Mazda, carrying the kidnapped victim, evaded the initial road block, but police pursued it along the R75 until it overturned near the Daniel Pienaar off-ramp.
Three suspects exited the vehicle, and two opened fire at the SAPS members. During the exchange, one suspect was fatally shot, one was arrested and the third fled into nearby bushes, evading capture despite an extensive search with the assistance of Kariega K9 Unit.
The victim, a 40-year-old Ethiopian male, was rescued unharmed, and the scene was secured for further investigation.
The suspects were arrested on charges of kidnapping, attempted murder of police officials, unlawful possession of firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and reckless or negligent driving.
“During all these arrests the following was confiscated, one 9mm Norinco, one magazine with 5 live rounds, three blank firearms, cash, cell phones, VW Polo, 20 live rounds of ammunition, 120 loose vapes, 18 boxes of Nasty Vapes containing 5 each and two big boxes of Nasty Vapes containing 10 each, VW Polo Vivo, 9mm glock Gen with 10 live rounds and a white Mazda CX5.
Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Major General Vuyisile Ncata, commended the Crime Combatting Units for their dedication and bravery.
He praised their professionalism and teamwork, emphasising that the successes reflect SAPS’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all communities and sending a clear message that criminals have no place to hide in Nelson Mandela Bay. – SAnews.gov.za
