09/06/2026
JOINT OPERATION "SHANELA II" NETS ILLEGAL FIREARM AND CASH IN ZASTRON ROADBLOCK
By. Steven van vollenhoven Kgolagano FM
In a coordinated effort to tighten border security and curb the influx of illegal activities, a multi disciplinary joint borderline operation, dubbed Operation Shanela II, yielded positive results yesterday the 8 the June 2026 on the R726 near Zastron.
On Monday, 8 June 2026, at approximately 12:00, law enforcement agencies established a high-visibility roadblock on the R726 road. The integrated operation brought together various specialized units, including:
The Anti-Gang Unit (Bloemfontein)
K9 Unit (Welkom)
South African National Defence Force (SANDF)
Public Order Policing (Bloemfontein)
Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (Bloemfontein)
Zastron SAPS local member's
Stock Theft Unit (Wepener)
Department of Home Affairs
During the roadblock, members intercepted a suspicious orange coloured VW vehicle with three occupants, two males and one female. Officers requested permission to search the vehicle, which led to a startling discovery. Upon searching the interior, members found a brown school bag containing a pair of shoes.
Hidden inside one of the shoes was a brown and silver revolver firearm, fully loaded with five rounds of live ammunition. A further search of the vehicle also revealed a large, unexplained sum of cash hidden inside a brown jacket.
The suspects could not produce a valid license for the firearm. Consequently, the 31-year-old driver (male) and the 23-year-old female passenger were immediately arrested. They face charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition as well as Money laundering
Investigations are ongoing to determine the origin of the firearm and the large sum of cash, as well as whether the suspects are linked to other crimes in the province.
Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli
Free State Provincial Corporate Communication and Media Liaison said
the suspects are expected to appear in the Zastron Magistrate’s Court soon.
