Eastern Cape South African Police Service (SAPS) Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, has commended the efforts of a dedicated police task team who over the weekend found and arrested five robbery suspects linked to a series of cases committed in the Joe Gqabi District .
This as once the threat of house/business robberies were identified, the Acting District Commissioner of Joe Gqabi district, Brigadier Asogran Naidoo established a task team to hunt down the suspects involved .
On Saturday night and on Sunday night, the task team in Sterkspruit followed up on information received of Lesotho nationals at a house at Makhetheng who had robbed a house/shop at Thaba Lesoba (Cathberg) .
The information was operationalised and as the team swooped in on them, they found five men entering the house carrying bags .
Three of the five men were found to be armed with firearms .
They were arrested .
On searching the bags, groceries and tobacco were found .
Members also found other groceries hidden under the bed, inside cupboards and in the wardrobes .
The suspects aged between 23 and 37 are expected to be charged for various crimes, including illegal possession of firearms, possession of suspected stolen property, illegal possession of ammunition and possession of dagga .
Another suspect, linked to this group was arrested on Monday, 13 November 2023, after a shootout with a security guard during a business robbery in Sterkspruit .
The suspects are wanted on a number of cases for house/business robberies, murder and attempted murder in Palmietfontein and Sterkspruit .
Detectives are busy probing other cases where they may also possibly link these suspects .
Meanwhile, the three firearms confiscated will be sent to ballistics for analysis .
Lieutenant General Mene on Sunday commended the task team for their unwavering commitment to public safety .
“Through their meticulous investigation, excellent informer network and collaboration, the team worked swiftly and tirelessly to arrest these suspects .
Not only have these suspects been arrested, three firearms and suspected stolen goods were also confiscated .
“This achievement underscores our commitment to ensuring that the reign of criminals are halted while making sure that our communities are safe,” said Mene .
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