By Augustine Ehikioya
To rid South Africa of criminals, Police officials in Limpopo Province under Operation Save Life have arrested 2534 suspects within one week.
The suspects, between ages 19 and 47, were arrested for crimes including murder, robberies, carjacking, possession of unlawful firearms, possession and dealing in drugs, theft, illegal immigration, possession of suspected stolen properties, assault, and illegal trading of liquor.
This was revealed in a statement issued by Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo of the South African Police Service, Office of the Provincial Commissioner, Limpopo.
It was made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA) on Wednesday.
The statement said “The Police in Limpopo have arrested 2534 suspects aged between 19 and 47, for crimes ranging from murder, robberies, carjacking, possession of unlawful firearms, possession and dealing in drugs, theft, illegal immigration, possession of suspected stolen properties, assault to illegal trading of liquor.
“The suspects were arrested during a week of heightened joint operations that were conducted since on 02 January to 09 January, 2022.”
Breaking down the arrest figure, the statement said “The intelligence driven operation conducted by the Mopani District Tracing Team and Giyani Crime Intelligence unit at midnight on 07 January, 2022, led to the arrest of four suspects aged between 18 and 22 for an alleged business robbery that was earlier committed at Mapuve village under Giyani policing and recovery of 03 unlicensed firearms, 02 empty magazines, 02 Silver Norinco pistols with magazines, 04 live ammunition and 01 cartridge believed to be used in the commission of the crime.
“The suspects were also found in possession of suspected stolen properties that included groceries, Samsung Plasma TV and LG music system.
“In the other operations that were conducted in Sekhukhune District on the same day, 07 January, 2022, six suspects aged between 25 and 48 were arrested at Leeufontien in the Motetema policing area
“The suspects were arrested for conspiracy to commit crime, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition, attempted murder and possession of housebreaking equipment’s.
“Police recovered 01× 9mm pistol with 3 live ammunition, cartridges of Ak47 rifle, SANDF uniform balaclava, hand-glove, angle-grinders, other breaking-in equipment as well as three vehicles which were allegedly used by suspects.”
It went on “On Tuesday 04 January, 2022 the Police arrested a 39-year-old suspect for allegedly raping his 12 year old daughter at Tshirolwe village under Mphephu policing area in the Vhembe District.
“In another success, the Police in Mankweng have arrested a highly wanted suspect, Tshepo Steven Botabota aged 28, who was allegedly terrorising communities in the area.
“He was arrested on Thursday 06 January, 2022 in Germiston, Gauteng Province and was brought to Mankweng where he was positively linked with several cases of house robbery, theft out of motor vehicles, murder and robbery with a firearm.
“The crimes were allegedly committed between April and June, 2021.
“He appeared in Mankweng magistrate court on Friday 07 January, 2022,” it added.
During the operation, the statement said, Police confiscated a total of 90 735 sticks of illicit cigarettes, 16 dangerous weapons, 13 367 grams of dagga, 20 grams of cocaine, 18 grams of Nyaope, 13 firearms, 377 308ml of liquor, 37 knives, 05 stolen vehicles.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the statement said, has applauded all the operational members who participated in the operations for their determination to rid the Province of any form of criminality.
“And also thanked community members for their endless efforts in assisting the Police to fight against crime.”
The operations, according to the statement, are still continuing throughout the Province.