Three 17-year-old high school boys and a 35-year-old man, who allegedly operated under an elusive kingpin and terrorised residents in the Tshilwavhusiku and Waterval policing area, were arrested on Monday in Madombidzha, Madodonga, and Mpheni.
The police followed up on leads regarding various serious crimes reported in Tshilwavhusiku when they arrested the suspects in Tshilwavhusiku and Waterval respectively, on charges of possession of a suspected stolen vehicle, possession of suspected stolen property, and two counts of illegal possession of ammunition.
During the arrest in Madombidzha village, the police confiscated an airgun, nine rounds of live ammunition, cellphones, police jerseys, SANDF bulletproof vests, black balaclavas, packets of dagga, police rank insignia, two number plates, and a maroon Toyota Conquest with a false number plate, which was linked to a hijacking case reported in the Waterval area.
In Madodonga and Mpheni villages, the arrested suspects were found in possession of ammunition.
The provincial commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe, applauded the swift reaction of the operational team, which consisted of members from the Tshilwavhusiku Crime Prevention Unit, Tshilwavhusiku detectives, Vhembe Highway Patrol (Flying Squad), Makhado Public Order Policing, Makhado K9 Unit, Makhado Crime Prevention Unit, Vhembe District Task Team, and Vhembe Rural Safety.
"I'm delighted with the results produced by this team, with high hopes of possibly dismantling the syndicate that has been terrorising the community in the area. It is also disappointing to witness such young learners being under arrest instead of focusing on their studies. Those who think they can hide from the law must rest assured that they cannot run away from the long arm of the law. They will definitely be caught," she said.
Police spokesperson Lt Col Malesela Ledwaba said the police had been informed that other members of the community were too afraid to open cases, fearing they might be victimised. "Those who have been affected by crime must feel free to open cases with the police," he assured them.
Ledwaba said police investigations were continuing, and more arrests were expected to be made.
The four suspects appeared in the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, 20 September, but at the time of our going to press, the outcome was not yet known.