The Limpopo multi-disciplinary Festive Season Operations Shanela led to the apprehension of 3 107 suspects for various offences including murder, attempted murder, robberies, rape and sexual assaults, burglaries, stock theft and drug related crimes amongst other crimes. The multi-disciplinary forces also recovered eight (08) illegal firearms from hardened criminals.
The operations were conducted from 18 to 24 December 2023 by SAPS and various law enforcement agencies.
Amongst some of the arrested suspects were 884 wanted suspects who were tracked down by the Detective teams across the province for crimes such as rape and sexual offences.
In addition, 645 were arrested for the Contravention of Immigration Act, 38 Suspects arrested for murder, 08 for attempted murder, 224 for Assault GBH, 158 for Assault Common, 87 suspects for malicious damage to properties.
The forces of Operation Kukula also conducted disruptive illegal mining operations in various areas such as Lulekani and Maake policing precincts amongst others leading to the arrest of scores of suspects and confiscation of illegal mining equipment such as Pendukas, Gas Cylinders, hammers, picks, spades, bags of suspected precious minerals as well as groceries.
The weekly high density Operation Kukula also confiscated 52 dangerous weapons, 08 illegal firearms, 36 ammunition, 47 knives, 10 stolen or hijacked motor vehicles and 541 897 counterfeit goods.
During operations, some of the activities executed were the crime awareness campaigns, compliance inspections at liquor premises, second-hand goods dealers, roadblocks, patrols, tracking and tracing of wanted suspects.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has welcomed the arrests and applauded the multi-disciplinary forces on the ground for hitting hard on criminals, and ensuring that the visitors, citizens and properties of this province are safe and secured.
Some of the suspects have already started to appear before their respective Magistrate’s Courts across the Province.
The Police investigations are still continuing.
Limpopo Festive Season operations Shanela net over 3000 suspects and confiscation of eight illegal firearms https://t.co/WBUBB3CGtq#ArriveAlive #Operations #FestiveSeason @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/oUxDnrP1Tc
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) December 26, 2023