SAPS Limpopo Weekly High Density Operations conducted from 3 July 2023 to 9 July 2023 across the Province led to the arrest of 812 suspects for various offences, such as murder, attempted murder, sexual offences, assaults, robberies, burglaries, possession of drugs, possession of unlicensed firearms, dealing in drugs, possession of counterfeit goods, Contravention of Immigration Act, malicious damage to property and driving under the influence of liquor, among others charges.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe led Operation Kukula in Lebowakgomo, Capricorn District conducted in the evening on Saturday, 8 July 2023 until the early hours of Sunday, 9 July 2023.
Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe was joined by District Commissioner of Capricorn, Major General Lesiba Mashilo, Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Crime Detection Major General Samuel Manala, SAPS Management and other stakeholders.
Similar Operations were taking place the same time with the Lebowakgomo Operation.
Law enforcement agencies and other departments joined the operations including the South African Defence Force (SANDF), Traffic Police, Correctional Service, Private Security Companies, Community Police Forums, Farm Watch, Department of Home Affairs, Health, Minerals and Energy, Labour, Emergency Medical Services, Spiritual Social Crime Prevention Service as well as Traditional Authorities formed part of the Operation
* As part of the operations two suspects aged 34 and 38 were arrested during a business robbery at Sekgopo Post Office, Mopane District on Tuesday, 4 July 2023. A group of heavily armed suspects robbed the Post office situated at Mojeketla village. Police (Members of Operation Kukula) arrived and a shootout ensued between the Police and the suspects. One of the suspects was arrested at the scene and the other one was arrested later with the assistance from the Community members at the same village.
* In another incident three suspects were nabbed at Waterval during an Operation conducted on 6 July 2023. Members received information about a suspicious Hyundai i35. Leads were followed and the vehicle was spotted with three occupants, they then stopped and searched it. All three suspects were found in possession of firearms, two unlicensed and one Licenced. Police also confiscated the vehicle for further investigation.
* A Police Constable stationed at Bela-Bela SAPS was arrested on Thursday, 6 July for raping a 17-year-old victim. It is alleged that, the Constable raped the 17-year-old after he took her from school to the Police station for consultation with members of Victim Empowerment Services. Instead of going straight to the Police Station he then made a turn at his residential address first, where he allegedly raped the victim
Meanwhile, another Police Officer, a Lieutenant Colonel was arrested for housebreaking with intent to commit unknown crime to the state prosecutor, on Wednesday, 5 July 2023 at about 20:00. Cases against the Police Officers are currently at Ipid for further investigation.
* On Friday, 7 July at about 11:00 members of Organised Crime Investigation and Crime Intelligence units arrested two suspects aged 30 and 31 for possession and dealing in drugs at Mentz Badimong in Mankweng. Allegedly, the suspects were selling drugs to the local high school learners.
During the operations Police confiscated 242,803 litres of liquor, 44 ammunition, 143 counterfeit goods, 17 dangerous weapons, 1.798 kilograms of dagga, 0.05 crystal meth 3.111 kilograms of nyaope (whooga/wunga), 6 vehicles and 07 firearms.
About 165 illegal immigrants and 11 illegal miners were arrested. Additional, 9 were also nabbed for serious crimes and 211 for other crimes.
The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe commended all the teams that participated in the operations, “This is a sign that we are all concerned about safety of the citizens in the Province and we are taking action.” She further applauded community members for their valuable information that they continue to provide to SAPS. She encouraged them to speak up in volumes without any fear in the fight against crime. “No one should be left behind in the fight against crime”, 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.
