POLOKWANE – As part of the South African Police Service’ efforts to drastically reduce crime and ensure a safer festive season, the Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe together with the SAPS management, conducted the safer festive season operation from Saturday 06 to Sunday 07 November 2021.
The main aim of this operation, is to tighten security measures across the province through law enforcement operations, monitoring cross border and inter-provincial movement in order to ensure safety during the festive season period and beyond.
The Provincial Commissioner, during the official launch last week, under the theme “Extending our reach through blue light visibility”, she emphasised that more resources will be channelled to areas of need to ensure police deal decisively with persistent crimes such as robberies and GBVF.
The multi-disciplinary operation was led by the number one cop in the province herself, accompanied by the Deputy Provincial Commissioner responsible for Corporate Services Major General Christine Moralakadi, the SAPS Capricorn District Commissioner Major General Lesiba Mashilo, Provincial Heads, officers and members from the Provincial Components and Capricorn District police stations, Specialised Units such as TRT, POPs, ORS, K9, Mounted Unit and Crime Intelligence, Traffic Officers, Community Safety and Community Patrollers.
The parade was held at Peter Mokaba Stadium in the City of Polokwane on Saturday 06 November 2021 at 18:00. The Provincial Commissioner addressed the members and she indicated that they must lead by example and execute their duties within the confines of the law, target all the corners of the City and the surroundings to root out criminality, including illegal firearms and drugs. She then warned them to be vigilant at all times and work hard to ensure both visitors and residents have a safer festive season.
The city came to a near standstill as areas such as the CBD, taxi ranks and industrial areas were penetrated. The Provincial Commissioner during the activities, interacted with members of the community as well the business owners, assuring them that they are in safe hands. The operation also covered hotspots areas in the Westenburg and Seshego policing areas.
A total of 116 suspects aged between 19 and 41, were arrested for crimes ranging from illegal gambling, Contravention of illegal immigration Act, public drinking, drunk and driving, possession of drugs, Contravention of Road Traffic Act, possession of dangerous weapons, non-compliance with the liquor Act and Contravention of National Disaster Management Act regulations relating to curfew hours and failure to wear masks.
The significant confiscations were made during these operations such as knives, dagga, motor vehicles, liquor etc. In addition, 500 people and 300 vehicles were searched.
Some of the arrested suspects paid fines after pleading guilty while others will appear in the Polokwane and Seshego magistrate’s court soon.
The operations are still unfolding in all the Districts of this province.
Source: South African Police Service