Limpopo police have arrested 109 people during a major crime operation targeting illegal immigration, drugs, illicit trade, liquor offences and other forms of lawlessness in Villa Nora.
The arrests were made on Saturday during Operation Basadi, which was conducted in the Villa Nora policing area under the Waterberg District.
The operation, which ran from 9.45am to 6pm, saw female police officers take the forefront as part of activities marking Women’s Month.
The operation was led by SAPS Limpopo Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Corporate Services, Major General FM Sebola, with Brigadiers MME Potgieter, TC Mkhabela, MV Mashila and IM Mhlongo supporting the operation.
According to police, 29 people were arrested for illegal immigration-related offences, including illegal immigrants and the alleged employment of an illegal immigrant.
A further 10 people were arrested for offences involving the sale and possession of illicit cigarettes, while two arrests were made in connection with dagga-related offences.
Police also recorded 14 liquor-related arrests, 14 public drinking offences, two illegal gambling offences and two public indecency offences.
Two people were arrested for the unlawful sale of explosives, while seven arrests were linked to counterfeit goods.
Four people were arrested over expired food products, with police also recording arrests for other offences detected during the operation.
Police confiscated dangerous weapons and knives, illicit cigarettes, toy firearms, illicit cosmetics and other prohibited or non-compliant goods.
Four shebeens were closed for failing to comply with regulations, while taverns, liquor outlets, spaza shops and other businesses were searched and inspected.
Police said 533 people were searched, along with 141 premises and business establishments and 107 vehicles.
The operation also included 30 stop-and-search operations, 19 vehicle patrols, 19 foot patrols and 16 blue-light patrols.
Police further searched 20 taverns and liquor outlets, visited 33 spaza shops and 14 filling stations, and conducted checks at four ATMs.
The provincial tracking team deployed during the operation also traced a suspect linked to an attempted murder case registered at Villa Nora police station.
Limpopo provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers welcomed the outcome, saying the operation demonstrated the force’s commitment to disrupting criminal activity before it escalates.
“The results of Operation Basadi demonstrate that our policing strategy is not limited to reacting to crime after it has occurred. We are taking the fight directly into communities, disrupting criminal activities, enforcing the law and closing the space in which criminals operate,” Scheepers said.
He urged members of the public to continue reporting criminal activity and providing information to police to assist with crime prevention and investigations.
