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The police in Limpopo have made significant strides in combating serious and violent crimes. This follows the confiscation of illegal firearms, ammunition and drugs during a series of intelligence-driven operations in separate incidents where police teams successfully arrested multiple suspects in the process.
A well-coordinated intelligence-led operation by the Sekhukhune Tracking Team resulted in the arrest of two suspects in different locations on Monday, 31 March 2025. The suspects were found in possession of unlicensed firearms, ammunition, and drugs worth an estimated R150 000-00
The operation was initiated after police received information about a suspect who had allegedly fired shots at a local tavern in the Dennilton policing area. A swift response led to his apprehension at his residence, where an unlicensed firearm with ammunition was seized.
The suspect later led the team to a second suspect in Siyabuswa, Mpumalanga province, where another unlicensed firearm and an assortment of ammunition were recovered.
The following items were confiscated during the operation: A 303 rifle with ammunition, one magazine loaded with ammunition, various types of ammunition and large quantities of drugs, including crystal meth, rocks, and nyaope.
In another breakthrough at Rakgoadi policing area, a firearm was recovered following an investigation into a rape suspect who had been evading arrest since March 2025.
Meanwhile, in a separate major case, a joint investigation by the Provincial Tracking Team and Apel Detectives led to the arrest of a suspect linked to the hijacking, kidnapping, and brutal assault of a 69-year-old man from Mphanama village in the Apel policing area on 23 March 2025. The victim, who was kidnapped from his home and later found dumped in the bushes with his vehicle after a three-day search, tragically succumbed to his injuries on 01 April 2025.
The suspect, Masholoane Molotodi (46), was arrested on Friday, 28 March 2025, and was found in possession of some of the victim’s valuables, including bank cards. His case has since been converted to murder. He appeared before the Sekhukhune Magistrate’s Court on Monday and was remanded in custody until 04 April 2025 for a formal bail application. Further arrests are expected as investigations continue.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has applauded the police teams for their swift and decisive actions in these cases.
“These arrests and the recovery of firearms demonstrate our unwavering commitment to ensure safer communities by removing illegal weapons from the wrong hands and ensuring criminals are stopped in their tracks.
The diligent work of our officers in these cases is commendable, and we will continue intensifying our efforts to ensure that all perpetrators face the full might of the law,” said Lieutenant General Hadebe.
The arrested suspects will appear in the respective courts in Dennilton, Siyabuswa, and Sekhukhune for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession of drugs, and other serious charges.