Limpopo police have achieved tremendous since the joint festive season operations conducted since 01 October 2022 resulting in the arrest over 20 000 suspects arrested .

The successes included a significant increase in the number of arrests for crimes such as murder, robbery, rapes, assaults, carjackings, unlawful possession of firearms. Dealing in drugs and illicit cigarettes, illegal mining, arson, malicious damage to properties. Possession of suspected stolen properties, non-compliance with liquor Act regulations including drinking in public to Contravention of illegal immigration Act.

Amongst these suspects, 202 were arrested for murder, 303 for rape and sexual assaults and 4559 for Contravention of the Immigration Act.

WHAT THE POLICE RECOVERED

During these operations, 69 firearms and 233 ammunition were recovered. Moreover, 701 knives, 568 dangerous weapons, 103 robbed/stolen motor vehicles, 5,016,628 sticks of counterfeit cigarettes and large amount of liquor were confiscated. In total, 1192 suspects were arrested for drug related crimes such as Heroin, Crystal Meth, Kat and Nyaope, totaling to a street value of R 5, 079,000.

As part of enforcement on the Liquor Act, 1989, (Act No. 27 of 1989) 5301 individuals were fined for drinking in public while

513 illegal liquor outlets were shut down.

HUGE NUMBER OF SUSPECTS ARRESTED

The successes also included an increase in the number of arrests and convictions for high profile cases that include the following:

■ A 32-year-old man was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for rape and murder of his ex-girlfriend’s 11-year-old daughter in Burgersfort in 2021.

■Two life sentences imposed on a double murder accused, David Matjila (45) in Burgersfort. The accused stabbed and killed his girlfriend (34) and her son (02) at their home.

■The arrest of two highly wanted suspects and recovery of firearms and ammunition. The suspects were involved in spate of murders, robberies, rapes and burglaries committed in the Vhembe District.

■ The disruptive operations as Police clamped down on illegal miners in Driekop. They confiscated mining equipment worth thousands of rands. Four suspects were arrested during the multi-disciplinary operations.

SEKHUKHUNE GANGS SUSPECTS

■ The arrest of a 37-year-old suspect believed to be part of a gang of criminals sought for serious and violent crimes in the Sekhukhune District. The suspect was terrorizing communities with robberies around Dennilton, Matlerekeng including Siyabuswa in Mpumalanga. Police recovered one firearm, 64 live ammunition amongst others.

■ Six police officers attached to SAPS Vhembe District were nabbed for corruption and defeating the ends of justice. The suspects created a safe passage for illicit cigarettes smugglers to enter into the country in exchange for gratification.

■ The heroic act of an off-duty Police Sergeant led to the arrest of one suspect following an incident of house robbery at his house. Three unknown armed suspects entered his house and demanded money.  The Sergeant was shot on his shoulder. But he managed to crawl and get his Service pistol and shot one of the suspects. He was found in possession of the robbed goods from the Police Officer’s house. The suspect later succumbed to the injuries.

■ The swift arrest of a 47-year-old suspect accused of raping an 85-year-old woman at his home in Dennilton. The suspect threatened the victim with a knife, raped and robbed her of undisclosed amount of money. Police recovered the cellphone belonging to the victim during the arrest.

OFFICER AMONGST THOSE ARRESTED

■ The arrest of a 52-year-old police officer and six other suspects including a woman employed at the filling station for business robbery at the convenient store at a filling station along the N1 road next to Capricorn plaza under Bandelierkop policing area. The suspects stole a drop in safe containing undisclosed amount of money and cigarettes. The Police Warrant was also attached to Makhado Crime Intelligence Unit. Police also recovered the drop in safe and cigarettes.

■ Lastly, the recent arrest of an alleged serial rapist after he was positively linked to 7 rape cases. The 33 year old suspect was arrested at the Tzaneen CBD. In one of the incidents, the suspect hacked the victim with a panga. We are confident that the suspect we will be able to  link the suspect with more cases.