Over 1000 suspects arrested

The Safer Festive Season Operations conducted across Limpopo province continue to hit hard on criminals with 1503 arrests made in the past week, from 14 to 21 November 2021.

The suspects aged between 19 and 46, were arrested for crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder, robberies. Rape, assault, burglaries, stock theft, fraud, arson, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition to contravening the illegal immigration Act.

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The operations were performed by various units such as Highway Patrol team, VCIU, Tracking team, TRT, Stock theft, Crime intelligence, Detectives, K-9, POP and Narcotics team. Two suspects aged 35 and 40 were caught delivering drugs worth over R 65 000 in Bendor suburb on the outskirts of Polokwane City. The Provincial Organised Crime Unit, Crime Intelligence and Narcotics team acted on a positive tip-off. The suspects were found in possession of 1350 sachets and 350 grams of nyaope drugs.

In another separate incident, a 27-year-old suspect was found in possession of 05 sachets of heroin and dagga. On 16 November 2021, an intelligence driven joint operation by members from Bela-Bela to the arrest of five suspects. They were allegedly involved in a house robbery that occurred on 08 November 2021 at Settlers under Bela-Bela policing area.

The suspects were arrested not far from the crime scene travelling in a bakkie. Police recovered two firearms with live rounds of ammunition, knives, an axe, gloves, balaclavas and several cellphones. The suspects will appear in Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court for bail application on 26 November 2021.

SAFER FESTIVE SEASON OPERATIONS PROVIDE RESULTS

A 45-year-old suspect was arrested at Bakenberg village under the Mokopane policing area. This is after he was found in possession of an unlicensed 9mm pistol with 16 live rounds of ammunition.

Meanwhile, a 23-year-old foreign national suspect was found in possession of a 9mm pistol with 23 live rounds of ammunition at Mankweng on 21 November 2021.

In addition, four of the most wanted suspects involved in a series of robberies in the Vhembe district were finally apprehended on 22 November 2021. This follows a Tactical Intelligence led joint operation by the Task team.

The suspects aged between 24 and 45, were arrested at different locations in Maniini and Tswinga villages. One motor vehicle and R27 000 in cash were confiscated. They were positively linked to 08 cases of business robbery.

All the suspects are still being profiled and may still be linked to more similar cases. Police also recovered 18 firearms, 9074 sticks of counterfeit cigarettes. 44 dangerous weapons, 05 robbed/stolen vehicles, 36 knives, 982988.75ml of liquor and 1653 fines were issued for contravention of the Road Traffic Act.

Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has commended the members for their commitment in keeping the citizens of this province safe. She also urged them to be on a high alert and hit hard on identified hotspot areas.

The suspects have also started appearing in different Magistrates Courts across the province.