Limpopo police made key arrests in Mopani and Waterberg where more than 1 000 alleged business robbers were taken down.
Mopani arrests: This is what the suspects are being charged with
According to police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, the suspects were arrested for various offenses. These offences include things such as:
- Rape
- Murder
- Armed robbery
- Attempted murder
- Assault
- Burglaries
- Stock Theft
- MITP (Malicious damage to property)
- Dealing in drugs
- Possession of unlawful firearms
- Ammunition
Lastly, Contravention of the Disaster Management Act Regulations.
The arrests had taken place over the course of seven days. The first couple of arrests were made on Wednesday 1 September 2021. Two suspects were found in possession of unlawful firearms as well as a stolen cell phone.
Who have the suspects been targeting?
The suspects were committing armed business robberies. These robberies were aimed at foreign owned shops along with other businesses in the Mopani district . Five suspects were arrested after a team of operatives, detectives and security working in the area spotted the vehicle described in the robberies. The confiscated items found in the vehicle consisted of:
- Explosives
- Firearms
- Ammunition
- Clothing
- Number plates
- 13 Cellphones
The suspects have been connected to business robberies that have troubled the area for a while now.
In the Waterburg district some criminals target motorists by laying down spikes to puncture wheels. They then rob the riders at gun point. Two people who were arrested had in their possession, spikes, firearms, and ammunition. The suspects have also been linked to several robberies committed along the N1 and R101 roads.
Shortly after a clothing store in Bela-Bela mall was robbed, police arrested three suspects. They managed to recover R500 000 worth of stolen cell phones.
Following these arrests, some of the suspects have started to appear in the local magistrates court. The Provincial commissioner of police has also praised the police for their persistent efforts.