Thohoyandou remains a headache for police as crime hotspot

The provincial commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lt-Gen Thembi Hadebe, joined by the MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Ms Florence Radzilani, released the second quarter of the Financial 2023–2024 Crime Statistics during a media briefing held at the provincial head office in Polokwane on Tuesday, 21 November.

In her opening statement, Hadebe said the statistics covered the period from 1 July 2023 to 30 September 2023. She highlighted that Limpopo Province’s primary focus is on the prevention of gender-based violence and femicide, while also effectively combating aggravated crimes such as carjacking, residential burglaries, robberies at business premises, and cash-in-transit heists. They further aim to bolster border-security measures and implement stringent regulations pertaining to illicit economic practices and firearm-control measures.

“Through our intensive operations, we managed to arrest 72 suspects for illicit mining and confiscate equipment worth R2.5 million. During the evaluated period, there was a notable 11.2% decline in murder cases, amounting to 30 fewer cases than the previous quarter. Among the reported 237 cases, vigilantism accounted for 37, while arguments, misunderstandings, or provocations gave rise to 38 of these murders. As part of our efforts to apprehend those responsible, we successfully arrested 149 suspects for committing murder,” said Hadebe.

The Thohoyandou policing area remains an especially worrying factor for these two departments. According to statistics, Thohoyandou is the police station with the most reported crime categories.

Radzilani emphasised the need to intensify the cooperation between the government and civil society. She called upon the communities, community policing forums, and ward committees to lend a hand in the battle against crime.

“As a government, we are worried when the community takes the law into their own hands, as it has the potential to create a state of lawlessness. We urge the community to report any criminal activities to the police. Operation Kukula is commendable in the fight against crime; it must be replicated throughout the province,” she said.

Radzilani commended Hadebe on the good work she is doing. The Limpopo police said they were ready to ensure that residents, businesses, and holidaymakers felt safe over the coming festive season and beyond.

Date:30 November 2023

By: Silas Nduvheni

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