POLOKWANE – Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo said in a statement that the trio were arrested shortly after they committed robbery at a house in the central business district (CBD) in the early hours of the morning. During the arrest the police confiscated a vehicle which was used by the group as well as one unlicensed firearm with ammunition.
On the same day in the Burgersfort area, a 35-year-old man who was part of a group on their way to rob local businesses and a casino in the area, was arrested.
Mojapelo said the police received a tip-off about the said group on their way to commit a business robbery. An operation which comprised members of the Crime Intelligence Unit, detectives, the POCC, the K9 Unit and the Public Order Police was activated and the said group of people who were travelling in two bakkies, were spotted on the R37 road heading from Praktiseer towards the casino.
The police stopped the vehicles and one man was arrested on the scene. He was found in possession of a firearm with the serial number filed off and eight rounds of live ammunition. The man comes from Mashishing in Mpumalanga.
The intensified #FestiveSeasonOperations are currently in full swing around the province. Other successes from the past week include the arrests of 246 suspects and the recovery of 17 firearms of various calibre, nine vehicles which were used in crimes committed and various household items.
The arrested people face charges varying from murder, attempted murder, house robbery, rape, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and contravention of Road Traffic Act. The accused have since started to appear before the various magistrate’s courts.
Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Genl Nneke Ledwaba has commended all members who are involved in the ongoing Festive Season Operations and urged residents at large, to work with the police in order to ensure this festive season is the safest one ever.
