A total of 1477 people were apprehended during the ongoing operation (Kukula) “Shanela” conducted across the province between 04 September until the early of on Sunday 10 September.
The operations were jointly enforced with other external stakeholders that comprised the Traffic Police, K9 Dog Unit, SARS (Customs), Private Security Companies, Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Department of Home Affairs and Labour amongst the others.
The suspects were nabbed for various offences that included murder, robberies, rape, sexual assault, robbery with a weapon other than firearm, burglary business, stock theft, possession of illicit cigarettes, Contravention of Immigration Act, fraud, theft of a motor vehicle including illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
A 45 year-old male suspect was nabbed for being in possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle at Lepelle village under Hoedspruit Policing precinct. Police received a complaint about a white Toyota Legend bakkie valued at R900 000 which was reported stolen in Mpumalanga Province.
The motor vehicle was tracked and an immediate search commenced with assistance from a Tracker Company, K9 Anti-Hijacking Tracking Security Company and Neighborhood Watch. The motor vehicle was subsequently found parked inside the yard of a 44 year-old male suspect who was placed under an arrest on the spot.
Another milestone was achieved in the Capricorn District after two male suspects were arrested for being in possession of illicit cigarettes amounting to more than R1million. The duo aged 31 and 42 were spotted driving a Hino truck along the R521 Dendron public road when they were stopped and searched.
Police discovered that the truck was fully loaded with 273 master boxes of illicit Remington Gold cigarettes with a street value of R1,5 million and the suspects were immediately placed under an arrest. The truck valued at R700.000 was also seized during the arrest.
Police seized 33 845 counterfeit cigarettes sticks, 22 dangerous weapons, 500 grams of dagga, dagga plants, eight grams of Crystal Meth and 36 grams of Nyaope drugs.
In addition, 1480 fines were issued including 30 firearms, 244 ammunition, 1 242 021ml of liquor, 65 knives and six stolen or robbed motor vehicles recovered during these operations.
The suspects have already started to appear before the various Magistrate Courts across the Province.
The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has applauded the sterling work that is continuously being displayed by the men and women in blue in ensuring that the province continue to remain safe and Crime free.
Dagga and nyaope
Illegal firearm