Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said the police had received a tip-off about the plan.

“The police spotted the six men from Soshanguvhe, North of Pretoria, acting suspiciously (yesterday) at one of the busiest filling stations in Polokwane. Members on patrol noticed the suspicious behaviour of six males and when approaching them the suspects in two cars, a BMW and an Opel Corsa, attempted to flee but were quickly cornered.”

During the arrest, said Mulaudzi, police found three fully loaded unlicensed 9mm firearms, balaclavas and other equipment used in business and house robberies.

He attributed the arrest to operation When Duty Calls, the province’s campaign to fight crime during the festive season.

“Since the launch of the campaign two weeks ago the police have arrested 13 people and confiscated seven unlicensed firearms. In a separate incident yesterday in Makhado, Mulaudzi said two people were arrested for attempting a business robbery.

“The two men allegedly fled the scene on foot but were apprehended a few kilometres from the scene by the police who found two unlicensed firearms – a 9mm and a rifle”.

They will all appear in court this week, he said, adding that all the firearms seized will be sent for ballistics to determine whether they could be linked to other crimes. The same will apply to the seized cars.

Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant General Simon Mpembe praised police for their quick response, “We mean business this festive season. There will be no breathing space for any criminal in Limpopo. 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.”

According to the police’s 2012 crime statistics, Limpopo’s business robberies were among the lowest compared to other provinces.