Police and motorists clashed in Roodepoort, west of Johannesburg, on Thursday during a heightened stop-and-search effort under Operation Shanela, a South African Police Service (SAPS) initiative to curb crime in Gauteng. Led by Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Mbuso Khumalo, the operation saw officers stopping cars, delivery bikes, and taxis to check licences and verify identities.

The Roodepoort Police Station served as the base for the multi-disciplinary operation, involving SAPS, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), Home Affairs officials, and local clergy. One motorist refused to produce an identity document, arguing it violated his rights, while others complied. The SAPS stated the checks are essential to tackle illegal activities, including serious crimes like murder, robbery, and rape.

Last week, similar operations in Gauteng led to over 80 arrests for drunk driving, with 768 suspects detained in Cosmo City and Honeydew. On Thursday, 47 undocumented individuals were arrested at a Roodepoort roadblock. Despite resistance, police vowed to maintain pressure to enhance community safety.

Operation Shanela, launched in May 2023, has resulted in over 1.2 million arrests nationwide, including 180,000 under its second phase since April 2025. Gauteng alone reported 723 arrests for serious crimes last weekend, underscoring the operation’s intensity. SAPS emphasized its commitment to disciplined, intelligence-driven policing to restore public trust and safety.