Limpopo SAPS Safer Festive Season Operations yield success with over 2000 arrests
The South African Police Service in Limpopo continued in its concerted efforts to ensure safer communities during the Festive Season operations resulting in the arrest of 2 079 suspects for various offences from the 01 to 07 January 2024. Throughout the festive season, the dedicated men and women in blue worked tirelessly to implement strategic measures to deter criminal activities and maintain public order. As a result of these efforts, 18 suspects were arrested for murder, 7 for attempted murder, 125 for common assault, 193 for assault GBH, 125 for assault common, 26 for rape, 12 for sexual offences, 5 for fraud, 708 for contravention of the immigration Act, 17 for robberies among others. During the week under review, the police also made tremendous breakthrough following the confiscation of 5 firearms, 26 live rounds of ammunition resulting in the arrest of 09 suspects, 25 knives and 5 hijacked or stolen motor vehicles. The operations also clamped down on illicit drugs and liquor outlets resulting in the arrest 284 for public drinking, 24 for illegal dealing in liquor, 32 for driving under the influence of liquor and 67 for possession and dealing in drugs. A total of 28 shebeens were shut down, Nyaope, Heroine and dagga drugs as well as liquor and counterfeit cigarettes were confiscated. A total of 4 761 Road Traffic fines were issued. In one of the operations, Provincial Visible Task team on Saturday, 06 January 2024, followed information about one of the suspects involved in business robbery that occurred at Magatle post office where suspects made off with a substantial amount of money. The team jointly with Burgersfort Team traced the 38-year-old suspect driving a white Ford Ranger and was arrested in Jane Furse. The suspect was also linked with an armed robbery committed in Lebowakgomo. The same team arrested two suspects driving in a bakkie in the Sekhukhune area. The 24-year-old passenger was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm, and the 49-year-old driver was linked with armed robbery committed in Jane Furse. The team also arrested a 42-year-old suspect at his home in Sekhukhune and recovered an unlicensed firearm. The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has hailed the hard work of SAPS members across the province. “The increased police visibility at identified crime hotspots and partnership policing has contributed immensely to the reduction of crime as well as enhanced overall safety in Limpopo communities,” concluded Lieutenant General Hadebe. |