Explainer: What is Operation Shanela?

Operation Shanela is back in the headlines following the killings in Ekurhuleni.

Operation Shanela is the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) ongoing nationwide, high-density crime-fighting initiative. This operation was designed to flood specific areas with visible police presence.

So, how does it work?

Each operation is led by the Provincial Commissioner of the relevant province, and typically runs across all districts at the same time with the intention of combining several tactics at once. This includes roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, stop-and-search actions, high-visibility foot and vehicle patrols, and the tracing of wanted suspects.

Operations are intelligence-led. So, police are targetting specific areas, networks or individuals based on prior information rather than simply patrolling at random. Shanela operations also often include compliance inspections at second-hand goods dealers, liquor outlets, and both formal and informal businesses.

What is the purpose of these check? These checks are aimed at disrupting the resale of stolen goods and unlicensed trade. SAPS often partners with other law enforcement bodies, including the Department of Home Affairs, metro police, private security companies and local Community Policing Forums.

The operation focuses on serious and violent crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape, carjacking, and business or house robberies. However, it also includes illegal firearms possession, drug trafficking, immigration offences, and organised crime linked to illicit trade as well as counterfeit goods, untaxed cigarettes and smuggled alcohol.

WHY IS OPERATION SHANELA UNDERWAY IN EKURHULENI RIGHT NOW?

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN EKURHULENI

A total of nine dead bodies have been found in Ekurhuleni over the past two months. The latest victim, which was another woman, was found half-naked and wrapped in a sheet on the side of the road on Thursday morning (17 September), in Dawn Park, Ekurhuleni.

Investigators are still working on finding her identity as well as the circumstances surrounding her death. Between 15 July and 15 September 2026, Gauteng police discovered five bodies of mostly half-naked women in the Ekurhuleni area.

The first case was a 37-year-old woman found half-naked and dead in an open veld near the R21 highway, with a suspect arrested two days later and remaining in custody since.

One victim has been formally identified: 38-year-old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, a runner from Rhodesfield, Kempton Park. A second victim has been identifed as 32-year-old Itumeleng Kekana. A third victim has also been identified as 38-year-old Dineo Evelyn Motapane.

OPERATION SHANELA IN EKURHULENI PARK

SAPS have intensified Operation Shanela in Ekurhuleni area this week, marking the end of a promised “lockdown” of the area. This takes place as a seasoned team of investigators have been brought in to uncover whoever is responsible for the deaths of nine women across Ekurhuleni since July.

Acting provincial commissioner Major-General Fred Kekana led the intensified operation on Wednesday and Thursday this week alongside the Gauteng police. This was done by combining roadblocks, high-visibility patrols and other crime-prevention measures. The intention of this was to deter further attacks but also to gather information from residents. Law enforcement agencies from across Gauteng have been deployed, backed by national police units. Reinforcement has also been drawn in from other provinces.

The escalation follows Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia’s announcement earlier this week that police would “massively expand visibility through Operation Shanela in Kempton Park and the surrounding areas,” alongside the team of seasoned investigators, who were brought in.

Cachalia said residents can expect to see a sustained SAPS presence “in the weeks ahead,” describing it as a full mobilisation of available law-enforcement capability rather than a short-term show of force.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi confirmed the province had formally requested additional national assistance to support the operation. This was referred to ask a “lockdown” of the area. Crime expert Yusuf Abramjee has cautioned that the term should be understood as an intensified enforcement operation, not a literal shutdown of the town.

“The objective must be twofold: to prevent further attacks and, equally importantly, to gather the evidence needed to identify and arrest whoever is responsible for these horrific killings,” said Abramjee.

One of the scariest parts of what has happened in Ekurhuleni area is that it is still ongoing. The number of bodies found dead in the area of Ekurhuleni rose to nine within a matter of days. South African women constantly live in fear and feel as though there is no protection for them.

The urgency reflects a death toll that has continued to rise even as the operation gets underway. The bodies of most of the victims were found dumped near rivers or roadsides. Many also showed signs of sexual assault. Police have arrested one suspect in connection with the earliest case and are actively searching for others, backed by a R400 000 reward for information leading to a breakthrough.

The community itself has been standing up and portesting against what has happened. Silent marches and tribute runs have been held in Ekurhuleni area with the intention of standing in solidarity with the women whose lives have been lost.

However, there has been mixed reactions to the police response itself. Many social media users expressed how enraged they felt following SAPS asking women to be vigilant, and not to walk or exercise alone in isolated areas. Take a look…

🚨 SAPS UPDATE | SAPS has urged women in and around Kempton Park to avoid walking or exercising alone in isolated areas and, where possible, travel in groups.

A dedicated multidisciplinary task team has been established to investigate the recent murders and determine possible… pic.twitter.com/i2xpQVqNc6

— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) September 14, 2026

Social media users are questioning why women are being asked to avoid exercising or walking alone. Non-profit organisation Women For Change, which advocates against Gender-based Violence (GBV) and femicide, also questioned why the responsibility is being placed on women and not the SAPS themselves, to keep women and children safe.

Take a look…

“The lengths women have to go just to stay alive! Stop placing the responsibility for our safety back onto us. Women should not have to organise their entire lives around surviving violence and not being next,” read the caption.

“It is the responsibility of SAPS and the state to create a country in which women and children are safe. We are tired. We are angry. And we deserve to live freely, not constantly calculate how to stay alive,” read the caption.