LIMPOPO – A total of 2,582 suspects were arrested for various offences during high-density police operations across Limpopo from October 5 to 11.

The operations, conducted under Operation Shanela 02, also resulted in 226 arrests for drug-related offences, the closure of 163 shebeens and the recovery of six stolen or robbed vehicles.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo, police and other law enforcement agencies seized drugs, firearms, ammunition, dangerous weapons, liquor and counterfeit cigarettes during the operations.

Key arrests

Among those arrested were:

• 13 for murder
• 6 for attempted murder
• 10 for robbery with aggravating circumstances
• 13 for rape
• 6 for sexual assault
• 158 for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm
• 131 for common assault

Police also arrested:

• 12 for common robbery
• 10 for robbery involving weapons other than firearms
• 28 for sexual offences
• 16 for business burglary
• 11 for residential burglary
• 2 for stock theft
• 2 for theft of motor vehicles or motorcycles
• 1 for arson
• 56 for malicious damage to property
• 36 for shoplifting
• 15 for fraud
• 28 for other theft-related offences

Other arrests

The operations also resulted in:

• 76 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• 6 for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition
• 18 for contravening the Domestic Violence Act
• 17 for possession of suspected stolen property
• 453 undocumented immigrants
• 584 for public drinking
• 149 for illegal liquor dealing

Items seized

During the operations, police confiscated:

• 393.8 kg of dagga
• 5.951 grams of crystal meth
• 11.37 grams of nyaope
• 8 firearms
• 125 rounds of ammunition
• 6 260 counterfeit cigarette sticks
• 1 148 362.5 ml of liquor

Domestic violence and fines

Police attended to 293 domestic violence incidents, served 258 protection orders and issued 2 078 fines for various offences.

Commissioner commends members

Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers commended police members and emphasised the need for continued police operations and public cooperation to address drug-related crime, illegal liquor trading and other criminal activities.

“We urge community members to continue working with the police by reporting drug-related activities, illegal liquor trading, stolen vehicles and other criminal activities through appropriate reporting channels,” said Scheepers.

SAPS confirmed that some of the arrested suspects have already appeared before various magistrates’ courts across the province.