The Limpopo Highway Patrol Team (LHP) and other Operational Units continue to make significant impact in the fight against crime following the arrest of 897 suspects during the ongoing operations that are being conducted across the Province. The suspects, aged between 27 and 54 were nabbed for various offences ranging from murder, business robberies, rape, burglaries, possession of suspected stolen motor vehicles, possession and dealing in drugs, robbery with weapon other than firearm, possession of unlicensed, impersonating a Police officer and possession of suspected stolen property amongst others.
The joint weekly operations were conducted from 12 June until this morning on Sunday 20 June 2021 and comprised of Police units such as Crime intelligence, POCC, Public Order Police Unit, Crime Prevention and other law enforcements agencies.
During some of the operations, members of the Limpopo Highway Patrol Team were busy conducting patrol duties along the R37 road between Lebowakgomo and Polokwane when they arrested a 31 year old suspect for possession and dealing in drugs. This after they noticed a suspicious blue Hyundai i20 motor vehicle parked outside the road in Ga-Chuene village. They then approached the vehicle and requested the driver to search it. While busy searching, they noticed that the boot door’s cover was not properly fitted and when they opened it, they discovered a blue plastic bag containing 500 sachets of Nyaope to the estimated value of R130 000. 00.
Another success was achieved after the LHP received information about a suspect who was busy delivering illicit cigarettes driving a Nissan NP 200 bakkie around Seshego Extension 71. Police reacted swiftly and rushed to the vicinity and upon arrival they positively spotted the vehicle and followed it until it stopped at one of the rental residences. It was searched and Police found two boxes full of Remington Gold illicit cigarettes containing 130 cartoons with a street value of R13 000.00. The suspect aged 42 was arrested.
In Makhado, members of the Limpopo Highway Patrol Team managed to apprehend a 27 year old man for impersonating a Police officer and being in possession of dangerous weapons. Police received a tip-off about a suspicious gold Jeep Patriot motor vehicle with North West (NW) registration numbers which was driving around Makhado town in the Vhembe District. The vehicle was having the SAPS insignia displayed and the driver was alleging that he is a detective from Rustenburg. Upon further interrogation, it soon came to light that he was not a Police officer and also not the owner of the said vehicle. The vehicle was also searched and a gas pistol Glock 19 replica was found with an Okapi knife.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the owner of the vehicle is a Police Sergeant from Rustenburg Detectives who is on suspension pending cases against her.
During these arrests, Police confiscated 122 641 counterfeit cigarettes sticks, 15 dangerous weapons, 2342gr dagga, several dagga plants, 0,008gr Nyaope, 5 Firearms, 438 127ml liquor, 21 Knives, 7 stolen or robbed vehicles recovered and 1431 fines were issued.
The suspects nabbed during these operations have already started appearing before different magistrate’s court across the province.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has applauded the indefatigable men and women in blue in ensuring that crime is prevented by all means in this province.
