Limpopo police makes over 1 000 arrests in a week
The arrests were part of the intensified joint police operations which were conducted throughout the province this past week.
LIMPOPO – Provincial police officers have arrested 1 538 suspects between the ages of 20 and 50 years old, during their recent weekly operations.
The intensified joint police operations commenced on Monday (August 2) through until Monday (August 9) and were conducted through roadblocks, stop and searches, tracing of wanted suspects and raids.
Police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo said the arrests include 199 suspects for the contravention of the Disaster Management Act.
“The suspects were arrested for crimes that include murder, robberies, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, assault, possession of suspected stolen properties and possession of drugs and illicit cigarettes,” he explained.
He added that a total of 13 firearms, four stolen vehicles, stolen property and various amounts of drugs and illegal liquor were also confiscated, during this period.
He highlighted some of the arrests:
Illicit goods confiscated at port of entry
The police confiscated over R100 000 worth of illicit cigarettes and illegal appetite stimulants during a search operation at the Groblersbrug port of entry, last Tuesday. “Members attached to Border Policing unit discovered 350 cartons of Pacific Blue cigarettes valued at R93 426 and packets of Power Apetito tablets valued at R150 000 hidden inside a truck and trailer.”
Mojapelo said the truck driver was arrested and a Volvo truck and trailers valued at R1.2m were seized.
Two arrested for murder
“A tactical intelligence-driven joint operation by Tshilwavhusiku detectives and Vispol members led to the arrest of two men, aged 29 and 47 years old for murder. Mojapelo said the victim was stabbed to death on Wednesday.Â
N1 robbery
On August 3 the police in Bandelierkop in conjunction with members of the Limpopo Highway Patrol team (LHP) with the assistance of the Rural Safety and Defendum private security, arrested a 50-year-old man in connection with a robbery committed along the N1 road. According to reports the suspect had accosted and robbed a victim of money and a cellphone. “The suspect was arrested at Elim and the robbed items were recovered. His vehicle was also confiscated,” Mojapelo added.Â
Business robbers netted outside Tzaneen
The police in Tzaneen arrested two suspects, aged 48 and 49, in connection with a robbery at a business at Setone village on Wednesday. “The Saps Tzaneen Crime Intelligence Unit received a tip-off about the robbery and immediately activated the LHP who netted the two suspects and recovered the stolen goods.
A getaway vehicle used by the suspects was also seized, Mojapelo said.
Three arrested for armed robbery
On August 5, LHP members together with the police in Marble Hall arrested three suspects in connection with a spate of armed robberies which were committed in and around the Sekhukhune district, recently. “A firearm with ammunition and dagga were recovered during the arrest, Mojapelo said.
Meanwhile on the same day, the same team also arrested six suspects on charges related to possession of a stolen motor vehicle. “The vehicle was stopped in Burgersfort next to Thaba Moshate Casino and all six occupants, aged between 20 and 35, arrested and the vehicle recovered.” Mojapelo said the recovered vehicle, a Toyota sedan, was reported stolen in Boksburg in Gauteng.
Man arrested for possession on AK47
Mojapelo said a tactical intelligence-driven joint operation which was conducted in the Modimolle policing area on Friday, led to the arrest of a 41-year-old man for possession of an AK47 rifle with ten rounds of ammunition. The operation was conducted by the members of the SAPS Modimolle Crime Intelligence Unit, K9 Unit, Public Order Policing and Endangered Species Unit joined by External Stakeholders.Â
Man caught with stolen copper cables
“A 31-year-old man from Namakgale was on Saturday arrested for theft after he was found in the possession of suspected stolen copper cables. The man was arrested during an intelligence-driven operations which was conducted by members of the Saps Phalaborwa Crime Intelligence Unit, Mopani District Task Team and Namakgale Crime Prevention.
Lastly, the police banned a man after he was found in the possession of a pangolin. The man was arrested at his home in Lephalale on Wednesday morning at around 08:00, Mojapelo said.
Some of these suspects have started appearing in various magistrate courts across the province, Mojapelo concluded.
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