PHOTO COURTESY SAPS
At least 11 Zimbabwean nationals have been arrested in Limpopo in three separate incidents involving various crimes that they are alleged to be involved in.
In the first incident on Wednesday, SAPS intercepted and seized illicit tobacco products worth more than R21-million and arrested three undocumented Zimbabwean nationals in Musina.
Police spokesperson Lt Col Amanda van Wyk said on the same day, members received information that led officers to an address in Musina where five more Zimbabwean nationals were arrested.
Lt Col Van Wyk said The team seized three firearms and 74 rounds of ammunition of different calibres.
She said at the same address, police arrested another three Zimbabwean nationals for the possession of dagga worth an estimated street value of R137 000.
These successes follow within days after police destroyed a man-made bridge over the Limpopo River near the Beit Bridge Border Post.
“SAPS members from various specialised units such as the National Intervention Unit (NIU), Crime Intelligence (CI), Public Order Policing (POP), Tactical Response Team (TRT), Border Policing, Airwing, Drone teams, detectives and K9 units are currently deployed in the seven hot spot provinces as part of OPERATION VALA UMGODI.
“This is a crime fighting strategy aimed at preventing and combating illicit mining activities within the country.
“Within the first six months of its’ activation, OPERATION VALA UMGODI recorded over 6000 arrests within the period of December 2023 to June 2024 countrywide,” Lt Col Van Wyk added.
