The most prevalent crimes recorded over the festive season in Polokwane were burglaries of homes and businesses followed by assault and domestic violence.

According to Polokwane police spokesperson, Capt Mohlaka Mashiane, many of the incidents of assault (both common and grievous bodily harm) and domestic violence were due to alcohol abuse.

Shoplifting was also one of the main crimes although police were able to make many arrests in this connection.

Mashiane said in December over 300 people were arrested, mostly for contact crimes and during police-initiated action such as public drinking.

Mashiane said many of the burglary incidents were due to the fact that residents had not taken the correct security measures.

The latest crimes in Polokwane over the weekend included a hijacking and another case of vehicle theft.  

Neither of the vehicles have been recovered as yet and police have requested assistance from members of the public.  

In the hijacking incident, which occurred in Flora Park on Friday night, a 32-year-old man who was travelling with his three children in his black Volkswagen Jetta was opening the gate at his home when he was accosted by three armed men.

The suspects demanded the key to his vehicle, forcing his children to alight from the vehicle.

No shots were fired, Mashiane said. The vehicle registration number is BDM056L.A white Toyota Hilux, registration number DDL522N, was stolen on the corner of Biccard and Devenish streets on Sunday morning.

The owner of the vehicle went into a shop and when he returned his vehicle was gone, Mashiane said.

MankwengIn Mankweng , the police are investigating the murder  of a 21-year- old man who was found with a chest wound lying in the street in Makotopong on New Year’s Day.

No arrests have been made as yet, provincial police spokesperson, Supt Mohale Ramatseba said.

At Dikgale, 36 suspects (23 men and 13 women) were arrested in connection with  public violence and malicious damage to property.

The suspects were arrested at a tavern in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

Ramatseba said the suspects  pelted police with stones, leaving a police Toyota Quantum damaged and three police reservists slightly injured.

They were reacting to the police issuing the tavern owner with a ticket for contravening the Liquor Act by failing to close at 02:00 as stipulated by the Act. - Karen Venter