POLOKWANE – The Police in Limpopo have arrested one thousand five hundred and seventy four (1 574) suspects for various offenses during joint operations conducted across the province since the past week until today, 28 September 2020. Amongst them, is a 14-year-old girl who was arrested on a charge of Perjury after she opened a false case of Kidnapping at Tzaneen police station on Friday, 25 September 2020.
The teenager informed the Police that she and her friend, a learner at Meridian College in Tzaneen, were walking from school when unknown suspects driving in a white panel van grabbed her friend and forced her inside the vehicle.
The matter was prioritised and duly treated with urgency only to establish that the case was based on a fabricated story. Preliminary investigations revealed that there was never a kidnapping and she was not even with a friend.
The other suspects aged between 19 and 57, were arrested for various charges including murder, attempted murder, robberies, rape, sexual assault, assault and sexual offences as well as contravention of the regulations under Disaster Management Act and Road Traffic Act.
The operations were conducted through roadblocks, stop and searches, tracing of wanted suspects, raiding of illegal businesses and intensive patrols.
Police managed to confiscate items including 707 620 cartons of illicit cigarettes, 25 dangerous weapons, 8180 grams of dagga, 2907 grams of nyaope drugs, 12 firearms, 46 knives and 2 596 520ml liquor, vehicles, 348 crime awareness campaigns were conducted, 2821compliance inspections at liquor premises, 23 drug operations, 215 liquor control operations, 86 Roadblocks ,152 Rural Safety operations, 3983 Stop and Search, 3718 VCP, 290 Domestic Violence incidents attended , 258 Protection orders served, 44 Shebeens closed, 5704 blue light patrols, 16954 vehicles and 33403 people searched and 1972 Traffic fines issued.
The other two suspects were arrested around Mokopane policing area, for possession of illicit cigarettes worth eight hundred and eighty thousand rand (R880 000), during a sting joint operation by Crime Intelligence and Visible Policing members. A 34-year-old male suspect and his female accomplice aged 25, were found in possession of about 90 large boxes containing illicit cigarettes.
Meanwhile, three suspects aged between 25 and 45 were arrested for poaching in Vaalwater near Lephalale, by members of Endangered Species Unit and local police assisted by private security companies.
The members observed movement of these suspects until their white bakkie was spotted along the R33 road. During the search, 01 black silencer, a knife and one rifle with ammunition were confiscated. Their white Chevrolet bakkie was also seized.
The Provincial Commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba has welcomed these arrests and thanked community members for providing valuable information to the police that often leads to the apprehension of culprits.
“The arrests of these suspects is highly commendable and clearly indicate that the police in this province are determined to fight all forms of criminality”, Concluded General Ledwaba.
The 14-year-old was charged with perjury and released into custody of her parents. The matter has already been referred to the social worker for further assessment.
The other suspects have already started appearing before different magistrates courts across the province.
