An intelligence-led tactical operation was carried out in the early hours of Friday, 02 May 2025, focusing on a series of business robberies around Polokwane CBD.
It is reported that between March and April 2025, Polokwane was experiencing an increase in business robberies daily wherein the shopkeepers and customers were robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash and cellphones at gunpoint.
The collaborative operation by Polokwane Detectives, the Provincial Tactical Response Team, led to the identification of suspects’ locations in the Ga-Makibela section and Moletjie village under Seshego policing area.
This resulted in the arrest of three (03) suspects. The team proceeded to Polokwane CBD, where a fourth suspect was apprehended.
The suspect led the operation to Ext 75 Westernburg policing area, where a black pellet firearm resembling a real firearm believed to have been used in the robberies was recovered.
During interview at Polokwane SAPS, it became apparent that the suspects were involved in multiple robberies targeting the three (3) food outlets, two (2) supermarkets, several pharmacies, a bakery, and a boutique.
Further investigations led the team to the buyer at Paul Kruger Street in Polokwane, a Zimbabwean national, who was found in possession of three (03) stolen cellphones and was subsequently arrested.
Preliminary investigation revealed that other stolen cellphones had already been transported to Zimbabwe.
The case of possession of suspected stolen property is opened, and the other four (04) arrested suspects have been positively linked to nine (09) cases of business robberies.
The recovered cellphones and pallet firearm loaded with four blank rounds were seized.
All five suspects are expected to appear before Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 05 May 2025, on charges of business robbery and possession of suspected stolen property.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, Major General Manala, commended the involved team for their tireless efforts in restoring safety and ensuring that the perpetrators are behind bars.
Police investigations are ongoing.