ONGOING OPERATIONS CONTINUE TO YIELD SIGNIFICANT RESULTS FOLLOWING ARRESTS OF 930 SUSPECTS FOR VARIOUS OFFENCES
POLOKWANE The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe participated in the ongoing operation “KUKULA” that was executed on Saturday 24 June 2023 in Sekhukhune District.
These operations were conducted across the Province between Monday 19 until Sunday 25 June 2023 and have led to apprehension of 930 suspects for various offences that included possession of unlicensed firearms, dealing in drugs, possession of counterfeit goods, assault GBH, murder, rape, assault common, Contravention of Immigration Act, malicious damage to property, possession of drugs, driving under the influence of liquor, theft of motor vehicle and illegal mining amongst others.
All the multi Disciplinary forces and structures on Saturday evening converged at Sekhukhune Police Station under commandship of the Provincial Commissioner. She was accompanied by the Deputy Provincial Commissioner responsible for Policing Major General Scheepers, Sekhukhune District Commissioner Major General Junior Lehabe Metsi, SAPS management, Traditional Council, other government Departments as well as external stakeholders.
These Operations were jointly conducted with other law enforcement agencies that included the South African Defence Force (SANDF), Traffic Police, Private Security Companies, Farm Watch, Department of Correctional Services, Social Services and Home Affairs.
During the operations Police confiscated 177667.5 liters of liquor, 166 ammunition, 140 counterfeit goods, 08 dangerous weapons, 22.724 kilograms of dagga, 07 sachets of crystal meth, 04 firearms, 07 dagga plants,17.916 grams of drugs and 03 motor vehicles.
In addition, 121 illegal immigrants were also nabbed for Contravention of Immigration Act including 33 wanted suspects for charges that included murder, rape, robbery and malicious damage to property.
Another milestone success was achieved on Tuesday 20 June 2023 following an arrest of five undocumented Lesotho Nationals aged between 23 and 35 for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The suspects were nabbed by the Tzaneen Crime Intelligence, Mopani Tracing Team, Flying Squad, Tactical Response Team (TRT), Tzaneen Tracing Team focusing on suspects in possession of unlicensed firearms at Afcolaco Filling station in Maake policing precinct under Mopani District. Preliminary investigation then pointed out that one of the five suspects was involved in an incident of killing of five suspected illegal minors at Bergnek near Polokwane.
During the operation, police seized 150 ammunition of 357 magnum, two hand radios, shotgun carbine type rifle, 16 ammunition of Z88 firearm, CZ 75 firearm, one Norinco and Berreta firearm.
Some of the arrested suspects have already appeared at their respective Magistrate’s court for various offences.
The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has once more warned the public that operation “KUKULA” and other operations will continue to get rid of all criminals and she also assured that the Police will continue stamp to authority of the state to ensure the safety of the inhabitants across the Province.
