Police crack down on election-related crimes in Limpopo, Eastern Cape

Limpopo Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers has announced that 33 election-related crimes have been recorded in the province.

He says that some Limpopo voters who were arrested for taking photographs of their marked ballot papers and posting them on social media have appeared in court, while others have been granted bail.

“We have arrested eleven people for that offence,” he says, adding that while all have appeared at different magistrates courts, other cases are still under investigation.

Meanwhile, in the Eastern Cape police have arrested three suspects in connection with an alleged arson attack on a ward councillor’s house in the Tsitsikamma area two weeks ago. It is alleged that the councillor’s house was targeted in a petrol bomb attack, resulting in the house burning down.

Early on Wednesday, acting on intelligence, police intercepted a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) on the R102 in Coldstream. During the stop-and-search, police discovered that the vehicle was fitted with false number plates and a fraudulent license disc.

Police spokesperson, Nobuntu Gantana says a search of the vehicle uncovered items suspected to be intended for the commission of a crime, including petrol, a bag containing cloth, another bag with empty glass liquor bottles, and a lighter.

“Three suspects, including a female related to the initial arson victim were arrested on the scene. The two male occupants of the vehicle were also taken into custody.” She said, adding that the suspects are facing charges of Conspiracy to Commit a Crime and the Possession of stolen property.

Police have also seized the vehicle and exhibits, including the suspected petrol for chemical analysis and further investigation.