The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo has arrested 2 084 suspects during high-density operations conducted across the province from 19 - 25 October.
The arrests included 38 suspects for rape and 10 for robbery with aggravating circumstances. Police also confiscated eight firearms and 62 rounds of ammunition, and recovered six stolen or robbed vehicles.
“The operations were conducted with other law enforcement agencies and targeted serious and violent crime, drug-related offences, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, unlawful liquor trading, wanted suspects and other criminal activities. They also focused on disrupting criminal networks, enforcing compliance and bringing offenders to justice,” the police said in a statement.
Among those arrested were five suspects for murder, nine for attempted murder, 170 for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and 122 for common assault. Police also arrested 118 suspects for drug-related offences, 62 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and 277 undocumented immigrants.
Other arrests included 17 for common robbery, 20 for robbery with weapons other than firearms, 17 for sexual offences, seven for business burglary, seven for residential burglary, nine for stock theft and four for arson. A further 62 suspects were arrested for malicious injury to property, 18 for shoplifting, four for fraud and 39 for other theft-related offences.
“Police arrested seven people for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, 23 for transgressing the Domestic Violence Act, 14 for possession of suspected stolen property, 496 for public drinking and 130 for illegal dealing in liquor. One suspect was arrested for sexual assault.
“In addition to the firearms and ammunition, police confiscated 46 dangerous weapons and 38 knives. They seized 12.04 kilograms of dagga, 4.49 grams of crystal meth (tik), 11.04 grams of nyaope, 1.25 grams of heroin and 0.004 grams of crack cocaine,” the police said.
The operations also led to the confiscation of 158 524 sticks of counterfeit cigarettes and approximately 1 458 905 millilitres of liquor. Police closed 138 illegal shebeens.
Police attended to 289 domestic violence incidents and served 250 protection orders. A total of 1 754 fines were issued as part of efforts to enforce the law and promote compliance.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers, commended police members and their law enforcement partners for their continued efforts to combat crime and protect communities.
The arrested suspects have started appearing before various Magistrates’ Courts across the province. – SAnews.gov.za
