The Police in Limpopo arrested six suspects and confiscated cigarettes worth millions in two separate incidents on Thursday.
At Tshilwavhusiku, members of the Police followed up information they received about suspicious activities at a house at a village near the town. Upon arrival at the scene, three suspects attempted to run away, but they were quickly apprehended by the members. Police discovered illegal cigarettes to the value of more than R2 million in a small truck as well as a light delivery vehicle. The owner of the house was also arrested and the suspects are due to appear in court soon. The origin of the cigarettes, as well as where they were destined for, forms part of the investigation.
At Motetema, two suspects were arrested and the stolen goods recovered after the suspects overpowered and robbed an employee of a cigarette company while he was delivering cigarettes to a shop in the Lebowakgomo area. The armed robbery took place at approximately 11:00 on Thursday morning at Bylsdrift village. The employee stopped to deliver cigarettes when he was overpowered by two unknown suspects who forced him back into his vehicle and drove to a bushy area where they offloaded the cigarettes into their own vehicle before fleeing.
Members from the neighbouring Motetema station followed up on information they received about a suspicious vehicle and people at Manapyane village about two hours after the robbery. Once again, upon arrival at the house two men tried to run away but they were cornered by members from the Tactical Response Team. Upon searching the house the cigarettes to the value of approximately R200 000 were discovered and the suspects were arrested for the possession of suspected stolen property. The suspects, both from Soshanguve, are due to appear in court on Monday. Investigations to link them to more incidents are continuing.
