Efforts by the South African Police Service in Limpopo to tighten the grip on criminal activities through Operation Shanela also known as Operation Kukula in the province, are reaping great rewards following the arrest of 1839 suspects for crimes ranging from murder, rapes, robberies, dealing in drugs,contravention of immigration Act, burglaries, to unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The collaborative high density operation with assistance of other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders was carried out from the 21 until 28 of August 2023 and members made their presence felt in all the 5 districts.
The police restricted criminal space as they fought various criminal activities through 103 roadblocks conducted, 6022 stops and searches, 6022 raiding at liquor outlets and 237 compliance inspection at second hand goods dealers, heightened police visibility and tracing of wanted suspects.In additional, 1656 Road Traffic fines were issued.
The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe alongside the Capricorn District Commissioner Major General Lesiba Mashilo led the operations in the Westenburg, Polokwane and Seshego Policing areas under Capricorn District.
Provincial Commissioner addressed the parade and appreciated the commitment of the members and other role players for their commitment to serve this Province with loyalty and integrity.
“The community is commending us for the good work and that’s a great achievement as we have managed to restore their confidence in us. Limpopo remains the safest Province and that’s because of your hard work and the great leadership of our management team who are also leading these operations.
All the hard work you are doing in all the little corners through the high density operations, the community recognises and they feel safe.Our province is rated number one in terms of the efficiency system, a tool that measures the police performance in all the provinces across the country. We just need to push harder until we reach our target.”
In conclusion, the General urged members including the Security Officers to do their work diligently and refrain from corrupt or unethical behaviour because decisive actions will be taken against them without compromise or favour.
Meanwhile Deputy Provincial Commissioners joined the High Density Operations in the Districts. Deputy Provincial Commissioner Policing Major General Scheepers, Deputy Provincial Commissioners Crime Detection Major General Samuel Manala and Deputy Provincial Commissioners Corporate Service Major General Christine Morakaladi, joined District Commissiners during High Density Operations over the weekend.
The arrests include 23 suspects for murder, 118 for assault GBH and 116 for assault Common, 24 for rape 95, for dealing in drugs, 12 for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, 506 for contravention of illegal immigration Act. 319 people were fined for contravening the Liquor Act, with additional 44 motorists arrested for driving under the influence of liquor and 16 shebeens closed.
Police also made confiscations as follows: 18 illegal firearms, 215 ammunition, 4 stolen vehicles, 23687, 6 grams of various drugs, 999133 illicit cigarettes sticks and 599 447 ml liquor,
Some of the suspects have already appeared before their respective Magistrate’s Courts.
