LIMPOPO police recovered seven stolen and hijacked vehicles during a joint operation conducted from 24 July until Tuesday, 2 August across the province.
A white Nissan was found abandoned at Ga-Masemola Village outside Burgersfort after it was reported stolen during a house robbery on Sunday, 31 July in Thabampshe Village. A red VW Polo was found abandoned at Dennilton after it was hijacked on Saturday, 30 July.
Limpopo police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the highway patrol members in Waterberg arrested a 39-year-old suspect for possession of a stolen vehicle reported in the Phokeng policing area in July.
Ledwaba said the suspect was also charged with bribery after he tried to offer police R4 000 to release him. In another incident, a suspect was arrested at Mall of the North in Polokwane after he was found in possession of a vehicle reported stolen at Littleton.
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The operations also saw more than 1 200 suspects being arrested for offences ranging from possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, illegal hunting, murder, attempted murder, rape, fraud, possession and dealing in drugs, common robbery, possession of suspected stolen property, contravention of the Immigration Act and possession of illicit cigarettes.
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Police confiscated illicit cigarettes, 25 dangerous weapons, dagga, drugs including crystal meth, nyaope, 15 firearms, liquor and 21 knives. The suspects will appear before local magistrates courts across the province.
Residents are calling for police to do more in combating crime. Seshego Community against Crime and Gangsterism Chairman Vincent Kunutu said: “Let’s take control of our areas. Crime is very high and vehicles are being stolen every weekend. We will never fear anything or any criminals.”
