PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER LAUDS THE ARREST OF EIGHT SUSPECTS ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN A SERIES OF SERIOUS OFFENSES IN VHEMBE DISTRICT
POLOKWANE: The Provincial Commissioner of police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has hailed the diligence and commitment displayed by the National Detectives and Provincial Crime Intelligence Unit operational team that apprehended eight suspects aged between 31 and 50, believed to be behind serious cases that included extortion, robbery with aggravating circumstances, theft of motor vehicle, and intimidation executed in Thohoyandou Policing area under Vhembe District between 12 September and 27 September 2023.
The suspects’ reign of terror finally came to an end when this operational team pounced on them in Thohoyandou Policing precinct during ongoing Operation Vhuyisa Mulayo Na Vhudziki.
The arrest emanates from one of the incidents in which a 33 year old male victim who apparently owed his business partner a substantial amount of money and was apparently unable to pay it back in time as agreed. The business partner allegedly recruited a notorious gang of eight suspects to scare him off, compelling him to pay back the money.
Moreover, the suspects reportedly took two motor vehicles, a white Mahindra Bakkie, Toyota Land Cruiser bakkie and a TLB machine as an assurance for payment of the debt between 01 July until last month August at Gondeni village outside Thohoyandou.
The victim was seemingly afraid to report the matter to the Police’ until 12 September 2023 and cases of robbery, theft of motor vehicles and intimidation were opened at Thohoyandou Police Station.
On 13 September 2023, six suspects were arrested within Thohoyandou Policing area and made a brief appearance at a local court on 14 September 2023. The six suspects were remanded in police custody until Wednesday 27 September 2023.
Further police investigations were conducted and resulted in the arrest of two more suspects after they handed themselves over at Thohoyandou Police Station due to pressure of being in pursuit by the police. The duo together with their accomplices made another court appearance for bail application on Friday 29 September 2023 and their cases were postponed to 05 and 06 October 2023 respectively.
During the arrests, a Toyota Land Cruiser Bakkie and TLB machine were recovered at the suspects’ residence in Mokopane and a White Mahindra Bakkie was seized in Thohoyandou precinct.
One of the suspects aged 36 was provisionally granted R10,000-00 bail due to a medical condition but skipped his court appearance and a Warrant of arrest has being issued for his apprehension.
“We will continue to hit hard on criminals who believe they can get away with unruly behaviour. This should serve as warning to the community members who undermine the rule of law that they will face consequences of their actions,” said Lieutenant General Hadebe.
Police urge anyone who might have been a victim of the criminal activities in Malamulele, Tshisaulu, Makhado and Siloam policing areas to contact the local Police’ Station or crime stop number 0860010111 or MySAPSApp for further police investigations.
