LIMPOPO – Between June 27 and July 5, provincial police arrested 1 396 suspects for various crimes, according to a statement by police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo.

“The South African Police Service in Limpopo continue to eradicate criminal activities following weekly joint operations that are conducted in all the districts. The suspects were apprehended for various crimes which range from murder, attempted murder, possession and dealing in drugs to possession of illegal explosives, sexual assault and burglary,” he explained.

Illegal firearms

Mojapelo noted that the police “are evidently winning the battle to get illegal firearms off the streets” as he highlighted the arrest of more than 10 suspects and the recovery of 14 firearms.

“The arrests include two suspects, aged 31, on Wednesday, June 30 in the Jane Furse policing area. They are believed to be part of a criminal gang who have been tormenting communities in and around this area. The suspects were arrested at separate locations during a sting operation by members of the Crime Intelligence Unit, Limpopo Highway Patrol and detectives. Two 9mm pistols were confiscated,” he explained.

Mojapelo said preliminary police investigations linked the suspects to business robberies committed in the Apel and Sekhukhune areas. “A manhunt for the remaining suspects is still underway,” he added.

Meanwhile, in the Capricorn District, a 52-year-old man was arrested at his house in Saamboubrug by members of the Seshego Crime Intelligence Unit and the Highway Patrol Team.

“They received a tip-off about the existence of illegal firearms on the farm. The suspect was found in possession of a 9mm pistol and police further discovered several rounds of live ammunition inside a safe.”

Another 9mm pistol, with ammunition, was confiscated after police searched the vehicle of a 27-year-old man in Mmotong village near Seshego.

“Police stopped his vehicle during normal patrol duties, and after the discovery of the pistol, he was arrested,” Mojapelo added.

Illegal explosives

Mojapelo said members of the Provincial Organised Crime and Crime Intelligence unit conducted an intelligence-driven operation on Wednesday, June 30.

“The operation led to the apprehension of three suspects, between the ages of 27 and 31, for possession of illegal explosives at Clen Cowie location, in the Nebo policing area, in the Sekhukhune district. Police discovered five electric bomb detonators that were concealed inside the suspects’ motor vehicle. The origin of the explosives is unknown at this stage but police investigations are ongoing,” he explained.

Drugs

Police in Polokwane received information about a man dealing in drugs.

“The information was operationalised and a 32-year-old suspect was subsequently arrested in Bendor. The suspect was found in possession of 51g of CAT and 53g of crystal meth, valued at over R10 000,” Mojapelo said.

A total of 2 148 counterfeit cigarettes sticks, 27 dangerous weapons, 586g dagga, 45g crack cocaine, 7,9g crystal meth, 16g CAT, 6,7g nyaope, 27 knives, 2 405 615ml liquor and five stolen vehicles were confiscated, while 1 180 fines were issued and seven shebeens were closed.

Some of the arrested suspects have already appeared before various magistrate’s courts across the province.