Three 17-year-old boys with alleged ties to a criminal syndicate in the Vhembe district have been apprehended by Limpopo police.
Alongside them, a 35-year-old man has also been charged with various offences, including possession of a suspected stolen vehicle, possession of suspected stolen properties, and illegal possession of ammunition.
The arrests were made following a thorough investigation by multiple police units, indicating a significant breakthrough in combating the activities of this dangerous syndicate.
According to police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba, the suspects were found in possession of several incriminating items.
These included police rank insignia, a police jersey, and bulletproof vests belonging to the South African National Defence Force. Furthermore, live ammunition, an airgun, cellphones, dagga, two number plates, and a Toyota Conquest with a false number plate linked to a hijacking case were seized.
The syndicate, which had been causing fear and unrest within the community, has been a focal point of investigation for various police units.
Officers from Tshilwavhusiku crime prevention, Tshilwavhusiku detectives, Vhembe highway patrol, Makhado public order policing, Makhado K9, Makhado crime prevention, Vhembe district task team, and Vhembe rural safety all played a role in bringing down this criminal operation.
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Provincial commissioner Lt-Gen Thembi Hadebe expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the police team. She stated, “I’m delighted with the results produced by this team, with high hopes of possibly dismantling the syndicate that has been terrorising the community in the area. It is disappointing to witness such young pupils being under arrest instead of focusing on their studies.”
The suspects will soon appear before the Tshilwavhusiku magistrate’s court to face the charges against them. It is expected that more arrests will follow as the investigation continues to unfold.
