POLOKWANE – One thousand six hundred and fourteen (1614) suspects aged between 21 and 51 were apprehended for various offences during the ongoing weekly operations that were conducted from 16 October until the early hours on Monday 24 October 2022.
The offences included possession and dealing in drugs, murder, stock theft, possession of illicit cigarettes, theft of motor vehicle, possession of suspected stolen property and possession of firearm and ammunition and rape. In addition, a total number of 422 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested
During the operations police seized counterfeit cigarettes sticks, 25 dangerous weapons, dagga, 3-dagga plants, Crystal Meth and Nyaope drugs. Furthermore, 3 firearms, large quantity of liquor, 61 knives and 4 stolen vehicles were confiscated.
Members of the Limpopo Highway Patrol team (LHP) were conducting patrol duties along the N1 South, from Makhado to Wylliespoort when they came across a silver Mitsubishi Colt bakkie driving at a high speed.Police managed to stop the motor vehicle with one male occupant and searched it.
Police discovered 750 cartoons of (Royal Express) illicit cigarettes worth thousands of rands inside the motor vehicle.The 33-year-old suspect was nabbed for possession of illicit cigarettes and the motor vehicle was also confiscated during his arrest.
A 29-year-old male suspect was also arrested by the members of Limpopo Highway Patrol team in the Polokwane policing area after they followed information about an unknown suspect driving in a silver VW Polo motor vehicle, allegedly dealing in drugs in the Central Business District (CBD).
Police discovered 400 sachets containing Nyaope drugs and cash money hidden inside the motor vehicle. The suspect was immediately apprehended for dealing and possession of drugs with an estimated street value of R50 000-00
Three suspects aged between 36 and 41 were arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition at Extension 78 outside Polokwane.
Police received information from the members of the Crime Intelligence about a white VW Polo motor vehicle without registration numbers. The vehicle was intercepted at Madiba park robots in the Seshego policing area.
Two men and a woman were found inside the motor vehicle.The 41-year-old female suspect voluntarily pulled out an unlicensed firearm from her waist and informed police that it belonged to her boyfriend who put it on her waist. The trio started to argue about the ownership of the firearm and were arrested on the spot for being in possession of an unlicensed firearm.
A 51-year-old male suspect was arrested for possession of a suspected stolen Toyota Fortuner at the Nyl plaza.
The vehicle was recovered during a joint operation by members of Waterberg Flying Squad, Reflex Security and Mokopane Rural Safety. The vehicle was reported stolen at Brooklyn in Gauteng province.
The arrested suspects have started appearing before their local Magistrate’s Court across the province.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has commended the successes achieved during the operations and she encouraged the members to continue working hard in ensuring that the province remains crime free and a safe environment for all the inhabitants.
Source: South African Police Service