The Easter Weekend joint operations conducted by members of the South African Police Service in Limpopo from 10 April until 17 April 2022, led to the apprehension of 1632 suspects aged between 19 and 60 for various offenses that include possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession and dealing in drugs and illicit cigarettes, murder, attempted murder, robberies, burglaries, theft of the motor vehicle, Contravention of the Road Traffic Act, sexual offenses, stock theft, etc.
Members of Highway Patrol jointly with Motetema Detectives have arrested a 31-year-old suspect on 16 April 2022 after he was positively linked to the murder committed on 13 April 2022 at Tafelkop in the Motetema policing area. The suspect was arrested at his house in Makapea village and police also confiscated an unlicensed 9mm pistol with ammunition.
During the same operation, A 23-year-old suspect was arrested at Ga-Maroga village in the Driekop policing area for possession of illegal explosives that included Trunklines, Shock tubes, and Electric detonators to the estimated street value of R180 000. Furthermore, police recovered Nyaope drugs and dagga during the search inside the house.
On 13 April 2022, an intelligence-led joint operation conducted by the Highway Patrol led to the apprehension of four suspects aged between 26 and 49 who were allegedly planning to commit business robbery at a local Supermarket at Ga-Matlou village in the Mokopane policing area. The Team acted promptly in arresting the suspects and recovered one firearm with ammunition, 01 knife, hand gloves, and a rope. Further investigation was conducted and the suspects were positively linked to Tinmyn business robbery.
A 60-year-old man was arrested for illegal mining after he was caught transporting Chrome along the R37 near Sekhukhune on 11 April 2022 at about 07:00. Police stopped a white tipper truck which was found loaded with Chrome. A preliminary police investigation has revealed that the chrome was mined in Atok and was being transported to Mecklenburg.
On 13 April 2022, police recovered a motor vehicle stolen at Ga-Phago village in the Matlala policing area. The suspect was arrested while on his way to Mmotong near Seshego and the vehicle was found loaded with 116 suspected stolen live chickens to the estimated value of R10 000.
Two suspects aged 27 and 30, were arrested for dealing in Nyaope drugs in Seshego on 10 April 2022. Police were tipped off by members of the community and upon arrival at the said house, they discovered 198 sachets of Nyaope drugs to the estimated street value of R10 000. One of the suspects was positively linked to a robbery case at Seshego.
In another operation conducted on 12 April 2022 at about 05:30, the SAPS Airwing reacted to a tip-off about suspected stolen cattle that were being transported along the N1 South outside Polokwane. The suspect managed to evade the arrest but police managed to recover five cattle and the white Ford Ranger bakkie with trailer.
During the operation 321 fines were issued for liquor related offences and 21 shebeens closed.
Furthermore, Police during these operations, confiscated 09 firearms, 01 stolen motor vehicle, 33 dangerous weapons, 2379 043ml liquor, 270 925 sticks of illicit cigarettes, 69548 grams dagga and 05 dagga plants, 23 knives, 1720 fines and compliance notices relating to the Road Traffic Act were issued.
The suspects arrested during these operations are expected to appear before different magistrate courts throughout the Province.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has lauded the successes reached during these operations and thanked the community members for continuously supporting the Police in fighting against all sorts of criminality across the province.
Easter joint operations tighten the grip on criminals https://t.co/jM0GpbBA90 #ArriveAlive #Operations #TrioCrimes @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/ORGSHQqri1
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) April 19, 2022