Thousands arrested during Limpopo’s festive operations
Among these suspects, 202 were arrested for murder, 303 for rape and sexual assaults and 4 559 for the contravention of the Immigration Act.
Since the start of festive season operations on October 1, the Limpopo SAPS has arrested 26 806 suspects.
These operations were concluded on January 6.
The successes include a significant increase in the number of arrests for crimes such as murder, robbery, rapes, assaults, carjackings, unlawful possession of firearms, dealing in drugs and illicit cigarettes, illegal mining, arson, malicious damage to properties, possession of suspected stolen properties, non-compliance with the Liquor Act, including drinking in public, and contravention of the Immigration Act.
Among these suspects, 202 were arrested for murder, 303 for rape and sexual assaults and 4 559 for the contravention of the Immigration Act.
During these operations, 69 firearms and 233 ammunition were recovered. Some 701 knives, 568 dangerous weapons, 103 robbed or stolen motor vehicles, more than five million sticks of counterfeit cigarettes and large amounts of liquor were confiscated.
In total, 1 192 suspects were arrested for drug-related crimes such as heroin, crystal meth, methcathinone and nyaope, totalling to a street value of about R5 079 000.
As part of enforcing the Liquor Act, 1989, (Act No 27 of 1989), 5 301 individuals were fined for drinking in public, while 513 illegal liquor outlets were shut down.
The provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadede, highlighted that the milestone successes demonstrate the police’s commitment to delivering excellent service.
“Our organised crime unit has been hard at work in hunting down syndicates dealing in drugs within the province, and they busted syndicates operating in Matlerekeng and Waterberg,” said Hadebe.
“The public’s expectations of the police can only be fulfilled if they are satistifed with the integrity, professionalism and promptness in the services rendered by police members and police stations. Thus we will be beefing up police stations with more members and resources, including the deployment of over 849 newly trained constables this year.”
