Judging by the thousands of people arrested by the Limpopo police the past few weeks in special operations, criminals will definitely have to watch out because the police will find out who is naughty over the Christmas season.
For the period ending on Monday, Limpopo police had arrested a total of 1 831 people in joint festive-season operations. These arrests were for crimes such as murder, rape, burglary, assault, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, contravening the Road Traffic Act, business robbery, common robbery, sexual offences, stock theft, fraud, possession, drug dealing and more.
In total, so far, 73 firearms, 11 suspected stolen motor vehicles, 253 811 cartons of illegal cigarettes, 32 dangerous weapons, 523.8 grams of dagga, 23 dagga plants, 1 486grams of nyaope drugs, 5 grams of heroin drugs, 11 knives and thousands of litres of liquor have been confiscated by the police.
One of the more "memorable" arrests occurred on Sunday evening along the N11 near Roedtan. Two suspects were arrested for possession of twenty-one (21) crocodile eggs and three crocodile skins. These suspects were charged with possession of suspected stolen property, as well as contravening the Endangered Species Act and Illegal Immigration Act.
On a private game farm within the Gravelotte policing area, the anti-poaching unit has intercepted an illegal hunting syndicate and confiscated two rifles, 25 rounds of ammunition, one axe, a knife and a pair of binoculars.
In the Vhembe District, the police arrested two suspects aged 30 and 40 for murder and business robberies. Their arrest came after the police had received a tip-off from members of the community regarding a planned business robbery at the Lwamondo Mathule Post Office. They reacted swiftly to the leads and arrested two suspects.
Following the intensive investigations, one of these suspects, aged 30, was positively linked to other cases of business robberies and murder in and around the area. According to the police, the duo might be linked to more cases.
In the Waterberg District, the police in Northam received information about suspects who were in possession of suspected stolen livestock. The information was followed up and one suspect aged 36 was arrested for possession of stolen livestock, while his accomplices alighted from a white Nissan bakkie and fled after noticing the police. Two cattle were recovered.
During these operations, the Limpopo police maximized their presence by engaging in a variety of activities, including 280 roadblocks and 6086 stop-and-search operations. In total, 1 550 road traffic summonses were issued, 37 308 persons were searched, 17 253 motor vehicles were searched and seven shebeens were closed.
The suspects arrested during these operations are expected to appear before different magistrate courts throughout the Province.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba applauded members for their successes across the province. He also applauded members of the public for providing positive and reliable information to help arrest criminals.
The police urged the public to continue reporting criminal behaviour to their nearest police station, by phoning 10111 or the crime stop number 0860010111 or through the MySAPSApp. If the police fail to assist, members of the public are invited to phone the following district commissioners for intervention:
* Waterberg: Major General Rosina Mulaudzi (082 451 7217);
* Mopani: Major General Maggy Mathebula (082 499 1969);
* Vhembe: Major General Mbazima Ngobeni (082 451 7553);
* Capricorn: Major General Lesiba Mashilo (082 573 2030); or
* Sekhukhune: Brigadier Mosima Maila (082 565 7802).