Police in Limpopo on Thursday arrested six suspects sought in connection with a series of robberies and carjackings perpetrated against foreign nationals in Groblersdal.
The suspects, aged between 26 and 35, are facing charges of carjacking, robbery, possession of suspected stolen property, and possession of illegal explosives.
The arrests
According to police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwada, the alleged perpetrators were pounced on by multiple law enforcement teams.
“The suspects were arrested following a snap joint operation conducted in Jane Furse and Motetema, involving members from Groblersdal crime intelligence and vehicle crime investigation unit as well as detectives from Motetema,” said Ledwaba.
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The crimes
The group allegedly targeted foreign nationals who were travelling from South Africa to other neighbouring countries, including Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Ledwaba said they positively linked the suspects to active cases of robberies and carjackings which were committed in Motetema.
The suspects were found in possession of stolen items, including explosives.
“During the arrest, some of the stolen property included groceries, clothing, electric appliances, ID books and a Toyota Hillux bakkie. All to the estimated value of R100 000, were recovered.
“One of the suspects was also found in possession of two blasting cartridges,”Ledwaba added.
The suspects are scheduled to make their first court appearance at the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court soon.
Four most wanted shot dead
Meanwhile, four suspected murderers were shot dead by police in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, during an exchange of gunfire with police on Thursday.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said members of the Rapid Rail Police Unit (RRPU), Provincial Investigations and Tracking Task Team, under the banner of “Operation Qondisa”, followed up on information about a gang allegedly responsible for a spate of murders in the province.
“The four suspects were spotted travelling in a white vehicle along Higginson Highway in St Wendolins and police instructed them to stop.
“Instead of heeding to police’s instructions, the suspects opened fire towards the police officers. During the exchange of gunfire, the four suspects were fatally wounded,” said Naicker.
Naicker said preliminary police investigations confirmed the suspects were on the list of the most wanted, for cases such as murder, attempted murder, hijackings, armed robberies and extortion, among an avalanche of other serious and violent crimes.
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