Polokwane - A total of 1 070 people were arrested during the Easter weekend in Limpopo on charges ranging from murder to attempted murder, culpable homicide, rape, robbery, public drinking and public violence.
Most of the suspects were arrested between Thursday and Monday at roadblocks set up across the province, while others were arrested at crime scenes, homes or suspected hiding places, according to provincial police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mohale Ramatseba.
"Admission of guilt fines ranging from R100 to R2 000 were paid by 527 people for crimes that include drinking in public, selling liquor without licences and contravening the Liquor Act," said Ramatseba.
"We also arrested 285 undocumented people around the roads of the province, 22 for possession of suspected stolen property."
He said stolen goods and also an amount of R5 300 that was stolen in Tzaneen were recovered.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Simon Mpembe congratulated the Limpopo police for ensuring the province was secure during the Easter period.
"I would like to thank and congratulate the members of the police and other law-enforcement agencies and the public at large for making sure they work hand-in-hand with the police in making sure that Limpopo is safe. These arrests will serve as a warning to others that we do not play, we arrest lawbreakers," said Mpembe.
Arrests in Limpopo over the weekend include:
- 141 for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm
- 41 for common assault
- 41 for drunken driving
- 27 for rape
- 7 for attempted rape
- 29 with common robbery
- 7 for armed robbery
- 40 for burglary
- 20 for shoplifting,
- 40 for theft
- 5 for stock theft
- 5 for theft of a motor vehicle
- 40 for malicious damage to property
- 10 for public violence
- 12 for arson
- 37 for possession of drugs or dagga
- 2 for child abuse
- 6 for fraud
