An Intelligence Driven Operation conducted by Crime Intelligence, Tactical Response Team, Calcutta Task Team and Bushbuckridge Crime Prevention, yielded positive results as eight suspects aged between 22 and 42 were arrested on Tuesday, 4 May 2021.
Their arrest spirals from an incident where a business robbery which occurred at a local supermarket on Monday, 3 May 2021.
The SAPS formations followed positive leads which directed them to Shatale and Violet Bank villages in Bushbuckridge where four suspects were arrested. They then proceeded to Hazyview where they spotted two vehicles which matched the description of the other wanted suspects and four more were arrested.
Police recovered three vehicles, a VW Polo, Toyota Yaris and an Opel Corsa bakkie which they believe were used in the commission of the crime. They also confiscated two firearms with ammunition for further investigation to determine whether they were not used in other criminal activities.
The suspects are due to appear before the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 6 May 2021, facing charges of possession of illegal firearms, suspected stolen property, possession of unlawful firearms as well as business robbery. Police cannot rule out possibility of linking the suspects to other crimes.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner in Mpumalanga, Major General Thulani Phahla, is thrilled with the work done and praised the members for their efforts in making sure that the suspects are brought to book. “We welcome the arrest and we thank the community of Bushbuckridge for the information,” said General Phahla.
