Four suspects targeting smallholdings outside Polokwane arrested
The suspects were arrested in connection with 20 break-ins and incidents of theft in the Soetdoring and Tweefontein areas.
POLOKWANE – Multiple operations in the Westenburg policing area finally yielded fruit after small-holdings in the Soetdoring and Tweefontein areas suffered a number of break-ins in recent weeks.
Last Thursday, four suspects aged 20-34 were arrested in connection with 20 break-ins and incidents of theft, according to provincial police spokesperson, Malesela Ledwaba.
The men were found in possession of stolen items including amplifiers, laptops, generators, speakers, angle grinders, plasma screens and other items, according to the police.
Three weeks ago, Polokwane Observer reported on the increasing rate of break-ins in the area. At the time, some property owners lamented having suffered burglaries, with one family having lost two motorcycles to criminals who gained access by cutting a fence.
Read more: Crimes on plots outside the city an imminent threat to residents
Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson, Lorraine Mothiba at the time said they used vehicles with blue lights to scare criminals off and conducted stop-and-go search operations, but that despite this, they had been outnumbered.
In last week’s edition, Westenburg police station commander, Maimele Pilusa said property owners should be mindful of who they house on their property.
Read more: Smallholding owners warned to take control of their properties
“Even though the police cannot dictate who or how smallholding owners should employ or keep on their property, upon asking for an employee register, we found that only a few employees were correctly placed to work in a single business, out of the hundreds who were found working during the day,” he said.
He pleaded with home and business owners to take responsibility in this regard, for the sake of their own safety.
Police say more arrests are imminent.
