Community structures in and around Malamulele, including the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) and the community policing forum (CPF), have called on residents not to harbour crime suspects but to work with the police to curb rising crime levels.
The SANCO secretary in Malamulele's Ward 23, Ms Bongani Baloyi, expressed concern over residents who continue to hide suspects involved in crimes such as rape, housebreaking, and murder. "We are pleased that the SAPS provincial commissioner has updated us on progress in several reported cases. We want to see suspects behind bars," she said.
The provincial commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lt-Gen Thembi Hadebe, praised the coordinated efforts of multidisciplinary police units in Vhembe District. She said their swift action had yielded significant progress in stabilising Malamulele and surrounding areas, following a series of violent crimes.
At a media briefing on Wednesday, 18 June, Hadebe confirmed that two undocumented foreign nationals, Shepherd Gadzirayi and Calvin Knowledge Moyo (Sithole), had been arrested and appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court. Their case was postponed to 24 June to allow further investigations. Moyo, facing several charges, including murder and illegal firearm possession, remains in hospital under police guard after being injured in a police operation.
The arrests stemmed from an intelligence-led operation in Thohoyandou's Makwarela location on 14 June, where the police engaged suspects in a shootout. One suspect was killed, another injured, and two more suspects were later arrested in Musina and Makwarela.
The police recovered unlicensed firearms, ammunition, stolen electronics, and other valuables. Hadebe confirmed that investigations are ongoing, and the police are committed to restoring peace and safety in the community.