The ongoing festive season operations that are being conducted by various SAPS operational units together with other law enforcement agencies across the province, continue to yield positive results following the arrests of two thousand nine hundred and fifty (2950) suspects. These latest arrests were affected during the operations that were conducted from 17-20 December 2020.
The suspects, aged between 22 and 43 were arrested for various crimes that include murder, attempted murder, robberies, conspiracy to commit poaching, rape, possession of explosives, conspiracy to commit murder, obstructing the ends of justice, crimen injuria, resisting arrest, sexual assault, possession of unlicensed firearm, possession of illicit cigarettes, assault GBH, assault common, common robbery, robbery with weapon other than firearm, sexual offences, burglary residential and business.
Amongst these suspects, is a 34 year old woman who was arrested on Friday night, 18 December 2020 at Mpheni village for allegedly masterminding the murder of her businessman husband, Azwifaneli Mudau (37), who was the owner of Riyalivhuwa Electrical Engineering. The deceased was accosted by a group of suspects and shot dead in front of his gate in Thohoyandou on 14 February 2020. Two of the suspects were arrested after they allegedly robbed a Post Office at Masia and were later linked to the murder of the said businessman. Further police investigations revealed that the woman allegedly hired the suspects to kill her husband.
The other notable arrests are the following:
• Six suspects were arrested under Hoedspruit policing area for conspiracy to commit poaching. Three were arrested yesterday morning at Oaks after they were found in possession of a hunting rifle, eight live ammunition and two knives. The other three were arrested in the early hours of Saturday, 19 December 2020 at about 02h30, on one of the local Game Reserves after they were found in possession of a hunting rifle, 9mm pistol, 17 live ammunition, silencer, binoculars and four knives.
• The arrest of three suspects at Beitbridge on Thursday 17 December 2020 for unlawful possession commercial explosives, blasting cartridges and capped fuses.
• The arrest of four suspects aged between 18 and 22 on Thursday 17 December 2020 for gang raping two teenage girls in Bela Bela.
• The arrest of a suspect by members of the Limpopo Highway Patrol Unit (LHP) on Saturday 19 December 2020 for possession of suspect stolen motor vehicle. The vehicle was reported stolen in Pretoria West, Gauteng.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Major General Jan Scheepers has commended the members especially the operational teams for their continuous hard work, dedication and commitment in the fight against crime. “As we enter this week in which people will be in the festive mood for Christmas, the police will intensify these operations to ensure that all communities in the Province are and feel safe.” Concluded General Scheepers.
The arrested suspects are expected to appear before the various magistrate courts soon and police investigations are continuing.
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