LIMPOPO – Two men, aged 31 and 36 respectively, were arrested at Ga-Chuene village in the Lebowakgomo policing precinct on October 27. According to a statement by police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo, the men are among the 984 suspects who have been arrested in joint operations across the province between October 21 and October 31.
“The men are believed to be involved in the carjacking, kidnapping and rape of a woman on October 23. Mankweng Crime Intelligence and Highway Patrol Team members cornered them sitting inside their red motor vehicle. The vehicle was searched and police discovered a 9mm pistol with ammunition, speakers and an amplifier,” he explained.
Mojapelo added that the men appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on October 29 and that the case was postponed to November 8 for formal bail application.
“They will still appear in Lebowakgomo on charges of possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition and the possession of suspected stolen properties. The search for the remaining suspect continues,” he said.
Mojapelo explained that the joint operations conducted by members of various police units yielded various successes across the province.
Shootout in Malamulele policing area
The police in Malamulele arrested one man and fatally shot his accomplice on November 2, shortly after they robbed a store in Xisasi village.
“The two armed suspects entered the shop and pointed their firearms at the owner, demanding cash. They then managed to get away with an undisclosed amount of cash and cellphones. Police were notified and their vehicle was seen at Danga village. One suspect jumped off and ran on foot leaving behind his accomplice. Police gave chase but the suspect started to shoot at the police who responded with fire. The 38-year-old suspect was shot and taken to hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries,” Mojapelo said.
Two 9mm pistols and their motor vehicle were confiscated. “The arrested suspect, aged 48, is expected to appear in the Malamulele Magistrate’s Court soon to face charges of business robbery, the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and the possession of suspected stolen properties.”
Five business robbers in the dock
On the same day, Highway Patrol members were on normal patrol duties around Makhado when they were notified of a business robbery at a store in the CBD. “The suspects had stolen an undisclosed number of cellphones valued at around R180 000. Five suspects between the ages of 27 and 43 were arrested with the help of visible policing members, detectives, the Crime Intelligence Unit and a local security company. Police recovered the stolen cellphones and a cash amount of R17 000.”
Stolen motor vehicle recovered
Highway Patrol members on November 1 patrolled in the Sekhukhune district, when they stopped a 36-year-old driver at Mamone village in the Jane Furse policing area. “The vehicle was circulated and reported stolen in Kimberly during 2017. The driver was arrested on the spot.”
Dagga in Polokwane
A 38-year-old man was arrested at a taxi rank in Polokwane on October 31, after he was found in possession of dagga with an estimated street value of over R5 000.
Carjacking in Seshego
Police on the same day arrested a 29-year-old man for carjacking at Seshego Zone 5. “The suspect was arrested shortly after the incident and the robbed motor vehicle was recovered in the same area.”
Mojapelo said 921 sticks of counterfeit cigarettes, 20 dangerous weapons, 961g of dagga, 18 dagga plants, seven firearms, 18 knives and six stolen/robbed vehicles were confiscated during the joint operation. A total of 3 474 fines were also issued to motorists who failed to adhere to the Road Traffic Act.
Provincial police commissioner Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe applauded the dedication of the law officials across the province, as well as the ‘endless support of the community and private sectors’.
Some of the arrested suspects are still expected to appear before various magistrate’s courts across the province, Mojapelo concluded.
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