In their continued effort to make the region a safer place this holiday season, the Limpopo police have apprehended a further 1 531 suspects during their intensified festive-season operation from 30 November to 7 December. The arrest were for various offences that include murder, robbery, rape, sexual offences, burglary, stock theft, possession of stolen property, theft of motor vehicles, possession of illegal cigarettes and dealing in drugs.
On Monday, four foreign nationals were arrested in Polokwane by the Provincial Tracking Team for allegedly smuggling illegal cigarettes worth more than R1 million into the country in a truck. "Police received information about a Superlink Volvo truck carrying a consignment of illicit cigarettes concealed in scrap canisters that managed to pass through the Beitbridge Border Post. The said truck was spotted at the N1/R71 intersection on the outskirts of Polokwane," said provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo in a press statement.
Another two foreign nationals were also arrested by the Makhado Crime Intelligence Unit, Limpopo Highway Patrol team and the Mphephu Crime Prevention Unit for also being in possession of illegal cigarettes valued at just over R1,6 million during an intelligence-led operation that was conducted in the Mphephu policing area within the Vhembe District. "During the arrest, 124 boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes and one Toyota Quantum minibus were seized by the police," said Mojapelo.
He also said that the swift response to a tip-off by the Mahwelereng Crime Intelligence Unit and Mokopane Stock Theft Unit had resulted in the arrest of three suspects for alleged stock theft in the Mahwelereng policing area in the Waterberg district. "The police received information about a grey Nissan bakkie pulling a trailer loaded with suspected stolen livestock. Immediately after receiving the information, the vehicle was spotted along the N11 road and pulled over. 54 goats and 8 sheep with the estimated value of R90 000 were found loaded at the back of the bakkie and into the trailer. The suspects were immediately arrested," said Mojapelo.
Yet another foreign national was arrested by the provincial Crime Intelligence Narcotics Team for dealing in drugs during an operation that was conducted in Musina. "The suspect was arrested while making deliveries to his clients around town. Police discovered 36 sachets of Crystal Meth with estimated street value of R5 400 concealed inside a Blue Polo vehicle that was driven by the suspect," said Mojapelo. The suspect's vehicle, along with the drugs, was confiscated by the police.
Apart from the illegal cigarettes and drugs confiscated by the police, 40 dangerous weapons, 10 firearms, 16 vehicles (11 of them suspected to be stolen) were also confiscated and 1 797 fines issued.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has expressed appreciation for the sterling work executed by the men and women in blue and issued a stern warning to would-be criminals that the police would stop at nothing to ensure that the festive season was celebrated in a safe and peaceful environment. The arrested suspects have already started appearing in different magistrate's courts across the province. In the meantime, the police operations are continuing.