POLOKWANE: Monday 03 July 2023 -The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe Led Operation Kukula in Mopàni District this weekend as part of stamping authority of the State and bringing about stability on crime. The Number 1 Cop in the Province was joined by District Commissioner of Mopani, Major General Willy Mashavha, SAPS Management and other stakeholders during the Operation at Maake in Mopani District on Saturday, 01 July 2023.
Other operations were conducted across the Province from 26 June 2022 until Monday 02 July 2023 and in the Process 577 suspects were arrested for different offences that included possession of unlicensed firearms, dealing in drugs, possession of counterfeit goods, assault GBH, murder, rape, assault common, Contravention of Immigration Act, malicious damage to property, possession of drugs, driving under the influence of liquor, theft of motor vehicle amongst others.
These Operations were jointly conducted with other law enforcement agencies that included the South African Defence Force (SANDF), Traffic Police, Private Security Companies, Farm Watch, Department of Correctional Services, Social Services and Home Affairs and Traditional Authorities
* Three male suspects aged between 21 and 31 were nabbed on Thursday 29 June 2023 at about 22:00 by the members of the Provincial Illegal Mining Task Team and Modikwa Protection Service for an alleged illegal mining in Sekhukhune District.
Police were conducting a disruptive Operations on illegal mining activities at Burgersfort Policing area in Winterveld Farm following a tip-off by a members of the community about the illegal mining activities that were busy taking place in the area and immediately rushed to the crime scene.
Police pounced on the suspects and upon their arrival at the scene ,three males were apprehended for illegal mining. During the arrest, Police confiscated ten (10) generators and five (05) jackhammers with a total value of R125.000.00.
During the operations Police confiscated 273,956 litres of liquor, 15 ammunition, 140 counterfeit goods, 15 dangerous weapons, 1,040 kilograms of dagga, 07 sachets of crystal meth, 04 firearms and 02 dagga plants.
About 81 illegal immigrants were nabbed, 21 wanted suspects were also traced and arrested.
The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe praised the operational teams for arresting all these suspects and she further urged the community members to support the Police with information that can lead to the arrest of any criminal offenders within their areas. She further said "Taking the operation to Maake policing area was necessary at this stage because crime rates at the area and Ritavi has raised drastically, we want criminals to understand that in Limpopo province, there's no space for criminal activities and anyone who tests us will definitely be arrested," concluded Lieutenant General Hadebe.
Some of the arrested suspects have already appeared at their local Magistrate's court for various offences.
The Police investigations are continuing.