The safer festive season operations that have been launched, continue to squeeze the space for criminals to operate after members attached to Mankweng Crime Prevention Unit arrested two suspects aged 32 and 37 for robbery.
The two, from Nelspruit and Orlando West respectively, were part of the four suspects who had just robbed a 75 year old businessman of an amount of cash.
The members were on patrol when they spotted a white Toyota sedan driving at a high speed through the streets of Hlahlaganya section in Mankweng Township and immediately gave chase.
The other two suspects managed to evade arrest by jumping out of the vehicle during the chase.
Reinforcements were summoned after the information was received that the occupants of the said vehicle had just committed a robbery. The two remaining suspects were cornered and nabbed soon after entering the street that leads to the police station. The police recovered the money and confiscated the vehicle.
According to the information available, the victim had just arrived from Polokwane after he allegedly withdrew cash to pay his employees when he was accosted by the four suspects.
The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba commended the members for their vigilance and alertness when conducting festive season operations. “As we proceed with the implementation of our operational plans for the festive season, one takes pride to realize that our members on the ground are much more determined to root out criminality. Our presence in the streets of our townships, villages and everywhere will make our people feel safe and secure,” said General Ledwaba.
He concluded by urging all members of our communities to be extra vigilant, especially after withdrawing large amounts of money as criminals are opportunistic and will always prey on unsuspecting victims.
The arrested suspects will appear in Mankweng Magistrate court soon to face charges of Robbery.
Further investigations are continuing to possibly link them with other serious crimes. A manhunt is proceeding for the remaining suspect.
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