The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo is concerned by the sluggish pace with which serious crimes are investigated and arrests are made in the province.
This follows the arrests of the 10 suspects linked to the robbery of Malamulele police station last week – 8 weeks after the incident – despite the comprehensive 72 hour activation plan that was implemented by Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt.genl. Thembi Hadebe.
On 21 November 2021, armed criminals robbed the Malamulele police station of firearms and ammunition and then proceeded to rob local businesses of cash.
Preliminary police investigations have also positively linked the gang with several ATM bombings and armed robberies in Limpopo, including the recent incident at a filling station near the Capricorn tollgate along the N1 North, where a police warrant officer was shot and wounded in the process.
The DA is relieved that arrests have been made, however this incident proves that SAPS in Limpopo does not have adequate resources to expeditiously solve serious crimes committed by hardened career criminals.
The 72- hour activation plan must include maximum mobilisation of resources including crime intelligence, forensic experts and other tactical teams to ensure that critical information and evidence is not lost and to apprehend the suspects.
According to the crime statistics for the period 1 July 2021 to 30 September 2021, as released by Minister Bheki Cele on 19 November, there was a 21.1% decrease in crimes detected as a result of police action.
This crime category is largely dependent on police deployment and crime intelligence and such a sharp decrease is a concern.
Our vision is to implement policy in support of a police service that is properly equipped, well trained and responds rapidly to any threat to the personal safety of citizens and prevent crime before it occurs.
We call on Hadebe to fast-track best practice strategies that will expedite investigations into crimes that will lead to swift arrests to ensure safe communities in our province.
Issued by DA Provincial Spokesperson for Transport and Community Safety, Katlego Suzan Phala MPL