Polokwane - Highway Patrol members swiftly arrested six suspects aged 30 and 42 for attempted robbery over the weekend.
It is alleged that six men, all of whom are from Gauteng, Soshanguve, were spotted acting suspiciously at one of the busiest filling stations in Polokwane and police were alerted.
"Members on patrol noticed the suspicious behaviour of six males and when approaching them the suspects in two cars (BMW and Corsa) attempted to flee but were quickly cornered.
"During their arrest police found three fully loaded unlicensed 9mm firearms, balaclavas and other apparels used for business and house robberies," the Limpopo South African Police Service said in a statement.
In another incident, two Zimbabwean suspects were also arrested in Makhado over the weekend for attempted business robbery.
"The two were arrested in their failed attempt to also rob a filling station. The suspects allegedly fled the scene on foot but were apprehended a few kilometres from the scene by the K9 members. Police found two unlicensed firearms a 9mm and a rifle," SAPS said.
Since the launch of the festive season operation When Duty Calls two weeks ago, police have arrested 13 suspects and removed seven unlicensed firearms.
In Bela Bela, five armed suspects also from Gauteng, including a pensioner, were arrested two hours after an armed robbery at Mampatile village in Bela Bela last week. They face charges of armed robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The provincial commissioner of Limpopo, Lieutenant General Simon Mpembe, praised police members for a swift response which led to the arrest of the suspects. "We mean business this festive season. There will be no breathing space for any criminal in Limpopo," said Mpembe.
"We promise tougher action against criminals over the festive season and beyond in Limpopo. No criminal from Limpopo or outside the province should dare do anything stupid," he warned.
All the firearms seized will be sent for ballistics to determine whether they were used in the commission of any offences in the country or whether the detained vehicles and the suspects are linked to other cased somewhere in the country. The suspects will appear in their respective courts soon. - SAnews.gov.za
