Limpopo law enforcement agencies nab 1298 suspects over Easter weekend
A total number of 2454 fines were issued for the contravention of the Road Traffic Act, 20 shebeens were closed, 169 suspects were nabbed for the Contravention of the Disaster Management Act.
Simultaneous intelligence-driven joint operations conducted during the past week including the Easter weekend thorugout Limpopo Province have resulted in the arrest of 1298 suspects aged between 19 and 43 for different offences ranging from murder, attempted murder, robberies, rape, sexual offences, burglaries, theft, possession of suspected stolen properties, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, arson, driving under the influence of alcohol, possession of suspected stolen motor vehicles, possession of drugs, possession of illicit cigarettes, Contravention of Liquor Act, Contravention of Immigration Act to contravention of the Road Traffic Act.
According to Limpopo police's Moatshe Ngoepe, the operations comprised of members derived from various police units and were conducted through roadblocks, stop and searches, tracing of wanted suspects, and intensive patrols.
"During the operations, police seized various items which include : 14 illegal firearms and ammunition, 08 suspected stolen or hijacked motor vehicles, 06 cell phones, 04 TV's, 4459 sticks of counterfeit cigarettes, 104 dangerous weapons including 79 knives, 551 grams of dagga, 15 dagga plants, 40 grams of Mandrax powder, 108 grams of nyaope drugs, 03 Vodacom tower batteries, cash amount of money, and 1872 435 ml of liquor," said Ngoepe.
A total number of 2454 fines were issued for the contravention of the Road Traffic Act, 20 shebeens were closed, 169 suspects were nabbed for the Contravention of the Disaster Management Act.
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"Members of the Saps Limpopo Highway Patrol Team have arrested a 32 year old man, who was found in possession of suspected stolen properties at Modimolle town," added Ngoepe.
He says the team received a report from Vodacom on Friday alleging that one of their tower batteries is being tempered with at Modimolle next to cross road.
"Members quickly reacted to the complaint and while reaching the area, they came across a suspicious blue Chevrolet motor vehicle driving at a high speed coming from the towers directions. They tried to stop the vehicle but the driver did not stop and a vehicle chase ensued until at the robot of Modimolle Town, where the driver stopped and ran on foot. They chased him until he was caught. They returned to the vehicle and searched it. They recovered three Vodacom tower batteries valued hundred and R161 000.00 and other items."
In the Bandelierkop policing area outside Polokwane, police received information about ATM bombing suspects driving in a white Mahindra bakkie along the N1 South towards Makhado.
"They tactically surrounded the area and the garage while others approached the vehicle, they found two suspects in the vehicle and the suspects pointed out other three suspects whom were inside the garage store. Other teams of police reacted and everyone in the garage was commanded to comply with police instructions and the three suspects were also arrested. The Mahindra bakkie was also seized and all the five suspects were positively linked to the Lebowakgomo attempted ATM bombing incident that was reported during March 2021," said Ngoepe.
In the Mahwelereng policing area, a 37 year old man was arrested for dealing and possession of dagga and bribery.
The arrested suspects have started appearing before different Magistrate Courts on various offences throughout the Province.