SAPS arrest more than 1 000 alleged criminals

BURGERSFORT – The relentless efforts of the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies continue to bring the levels of crime down across Limpopo.

Over 1 000 suspects were arrested during joint operations that were conducted from last week until Monday morning.

A total of 1 287 suspects, aged between 19 and 64, were arrested for various crimes including kidnapping, murder, attempted murder, possession of suspected stolen properties, driving under influence and contravention of the regulations under the Disaster Management Act.

“As liquor plays a major role in contributing to the committing of crimes, especially contact crimes, enforcement on compliance with the Liquor Act was heightened which resulted in 187 fines being issued. A total of 289 shebeens were also shut down,” said Limpopo SAPS spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe.

During these operations, police confiscated 1 935 sticks of illicit cigarettes, 20 dangerous weapons, nine firearms, 38 knives and nine stolen motor vehicles.

A total of 1 217 fines and compliance notices related to the Road Traffic Act were issued. In Burgersfort, the swift response of the Organised Crime Unit and Highway Patrol Team led to the arrest of four suspects, aged between 23 and 64, for separate, incidents of kidnapping and the possession of suspected stolen motor vehicle.

“The 64-year-old scrapyard owner and a 59-year-old woman were arrested for possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle following an incident in the Florida policing area, Gauteng, in which the victim was shot and killed during the hijacking.

“The members, with assistance of the SAPS Air Wing and the Tracker company, traced the vehicle to a local scrapyard in Sephukubye Village. “Further investigation revealed that the vehicle was brought to the shop by the female suspect, who was allegedly sent by her daughter after she came home with an unknown man. The other suspects are still on the run but a SAPS manhunt is still under way,” said Ngoepe.

Meanwhile, the other two suspects, aged 23 and 26, allegedly involved in the kidnapping of a young woman in Burgersfort, were arrested at Dan Village in Tzaneen.

“The victim was released unharmed after she was held for days while suspects demanded thousands of rand in ransom from her family. The suspects managed to escape, but the SAPS continued with investigations until they were traced and arrested. Police seized about 1 000 SIM cards of different network providers, believed to be the ones used during negotiations.”

The suspects arrested during these operations are expected to appear in various Magistrate’s Courts across the province.