On 7 February 2020, an armed man entered a business premises at KwaMbotho in Harding. At gunpoint he demanded cash and instructed the staff to load cigarettes and tobacco into a plastic bag.
One of the staff members on the premises screamed for help. Members of the community came to their rescue and the suspect was apprehended. Police at Harding were immediately contacted and responded to the scene speedily.
The 29 year old suspect was found in possession of a homemade revolver with four rounds of ammunition. The stolen property was also recovered from his possession.
Police investigations uncovered that suspect had been on the run after he escaped from the lawful custody on 15 July 2019, while being transported to Westville prison. It is alleged that he continued to terrorise the business community at Harding after he had escaped.
A case of escaping from the lawful custody is being investigated by Westville SAPS. He had been charged on three counts of business robbery committed in Harding during 2018 when he escaped.
He was also linked to a further three counts of business robbery committed last year and this year at Harding. He is expected to appear in the Harding Magistrates Court on 10 February 2020, for being in illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition as well as robbery.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula praised the community for working together with the police in apprehending the wanted suspect. “The community at KwaMbotho must be commended for their firm stance in ridding their neighbourhood of criminal elements and for contacting police immediately to ensure that the suspect is incarcerated and be placed before a court of law,” he said.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
