POLOKWANE – An easter weekend joint operation conducted by Limpopo police from April 10 to April 17 resulted in the arrest of 1 632 suspects between the ages of 19 and 60-years-old across the province.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the suspects were arrested for various offences including possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession and dealing in drugs and illicit cigarettes, murder, attempted murder, robberies, Contravention of the Road Traffic Act, sexual offences and stock theft among others.

Local successes:

• Mojapelo said police recovered a stolen motor vehicle at Ga-Phago village in the Matlala policing area. The suspect was arrested en route to Mmotong near Seshego when the vehicle was found loaded with 116 suspected stolen live chickens to the value of R10 000.
• Two men, aged 27 and 30-years-old, were arrested for dealing in Nyaope in Seshego. “Police were tipped off by the community and on arrival, 198 sachets of nyaope were discovered to an estimated street value of R10 000. One of the suspects was positively linked to a robbery in Seshego,” he said.
• On April 12, the SAPS Airwing reacted to a tip-off about suspected stolen cattle that was being transported along the N1 South outside Polokwane. “The suspect evaded arrest but police managed to recover five cattle and a white Ford Ranger bakkie with trailer,” Mojapelo said.

321 fines were issued for liquor related offences and 21 shebeens closed.

“In addition, nine firearms, one stolen motor vehicle, 33 dangerous weapons, 2379 043ml of liquor, 270 925 illicit cigarettes, 6 9548g of dagga and five dagga plants and 23 knives were confiscated. 1 720 fines and compliance notices relating to the Road Traffic Act were also issued,” he said.

The suspects are expected to appear before different Magistrate’s Courts throughout the province.