The ongoing weekly joint operations conducted from 20 until 27 February 2022 across the Province, targeting all crime-infested areas, continue to yield significant results, following the arrest of 1397 suspects aged between 19 and 55, including a 29-year-old alleged bogus Doctor.
The 29-year-old alleged bogus Doctor was arrested by the Provincial Tracking Team in Mankweng this morning after receiving information about a man who was swindling money from unsuspecting female victims around Polokwane, Mankweng, Tzaneen, Botlokwa, and Senwabarwana. A case of theft under false pretenses was opened after he allegedly swindled about R40 000-00 from female victims. The suspect, who was reportedly driving around in a BMW X5, at times allegedly disguised himself as an Evangelist. The BMW was also seized. He is expected to appear in court soon. The Police are making an appeal to anyone who might have fallen victim to this bogus Doctor to come forward to assist in the unfolding investigations.
The other two suspects were arrested for various crimes including murder, attempted murder, robberies, assaults, malicious damage to properties, rape, sexual assault, arson, fraud, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and dealing in drugs and illicit cigarettes.
On 22 February 2022, A Tactical joint operation by Musina Crime Intelligence Unit and Detectives was conducted to trace suspects believed to be part of a syndicate responsible for a spate of business and house robberies along the N1 north road and in the Musina policing area. Five suspects aged between 24 and 28 were arrested and three firearms, counterfeit BronCleer medicine with the estimated street value of R27 500-00 were seized. Police also confiscated a brand new Toyota bakkie and a Quantum, suspected to be stolen.
During the operation conducted in the Dorset policing area on 22 February 2022 at about 19:00, two suspects were arrested for alleged theft of copper cable worth an estimated street value of R150 000-00. The operation was conducted by Dorset Detectives, Westerberg Game Rangers and Security private companies, and Vaalwater Rural Safety.
A 30-year-old suspect was arrested on 23 February 2022, after he was positively linked to a carjacking in the Thohoyandou CBD during February 2022. Further investigations positively linked the suspect with two other cases of a business robbery in Vuwani that occurred in 2021. The operation comprised of Thohoyandou Crime Intelligence, Vhembe First Responders, and Detectives.
A snap joint operation by Modimolle Crime Intelligence Unit and Detectives together with Gauteng Tactical Response Services on 24 February 2022, resulted in the apprehension of two most wanted suspects involved in a robbery at a farm in Modimolle during September 2021. The suspects aged 35 and 36, were cornered at different locations in Haamanskraal, Gauteng province.
On Sunday, 27 February 2022 Police arrested a 27-year-old suspect for dealing in heroine drugs at Uitvluight village under Matlekereng policing area outside Groblersdal. This was after information was received that the suspect was on his way to Kwamhlanga in the Mpumalanga province to collect the drugs. The members of Matlekereng Crime Prevention Unit and Detectives with the assistance of Mpumalanga Security Intelligence swiftly reacted and arrested the suspect and recovered 100 pinches of heroin.
The Highway Patrol team recovered illicit cigarettes worth an estimated street value of R97 919-00 in the bushes near Tshipise under Vhembe District. The members received information that unknown suspects were offloading suspicious boxes in the bushes. When they arrived, the suspects had already fled the scene but police managed to recover 07 large boxes containing illicit cigarettes.
Another suspect was arrested at the Baobab tollgate plaza near Musina, by the Highway Patrol team on 27 February 2022 at about 22:10. The suspect aged 43, was arrested during stop and searches after dagga concealed inside a plastic bag was found hidden inside his vehicle. A cash amount of R2500-00 was also confiscated.
A total of 161 firearms were recovered during these intense operations. The Police also confiscated counterfeit cigarettes, dangerous weapons, dagga, uprooted 110 dagga plants, 2,031 grams of Crystal Meth, 31.817 grams of Nyaope, 675332.5ml liquor, 40 knives, and 04 stolen vehicles.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Major General Jan Scheepers has lauded the successes reached during these operations.
“We will continue to hit hard on these criminals until they find no space to operate and the citizens of this province feel safe and secure, concluded Major General Jan Scheepers.
Some of the suspects have started appearing before various magistrate’s courts throughout the province.
The operations are still continuing across the province.
Bogus doctor among suspects arrested during joint operations across Limpopo province https://t.co/62nnbw1ZBN #ArriveAlive #Operations #TrioCrimes @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/MDuo3Q86mX
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) March 2, 2022