The collaboration between security companies, members of the SAPS from Standerton, and civilians has led to the arrest of five suspects aging between 31 and 45. The arrested suspects were allegedly involved in a house robbery as well as hijacking of a Nissan Tiida in Standerton on Monday, 28 August 2023 around 09:50.
A report indicates that the robbery occurred at Stanwest in Standerton where a group of suspects came at a certain house and possibly waited around the premises to strike. The female victim was allegedly busy praying when she heard a domestic worker screaming and then noticed one of the suspects inside her yard through the window. The victim is said to have locked herself with other members of her family inside one of the rooms whilst making a call for help.
It was during that time when security companies, SAPS members from Standerton as well as other members of the community were alerted about the incident.
It is also alleged that during the robbery, a laptop was stolen before the suspects fled the scene.
A member of the public who also responded to the said house robbery came across the suspects who allegedly pointed her with a firearm and then hijacked her vehicle, a Nissan Tiida.
Few moments later, a total of five suspects were cornered and thanks to the hard work by the said team.
It is worth noting that during the arrest of the suspects, a firearm was confiscated with ammunition. The hijacked vehicle was also recovered. As part of the probe. Police also confiscated a private car (Hyundai) which was allegedly used in the commission of the house robbery and hijacking.
The investigation by the Police will also zoom into the allegations that the hijacked vehicle bumped a pedestrian who was on the road as the suspects were fleeing. It further alleged that after the accident, the suspects stopped and fired some shots.
The seized firearm will undergo ballistic testing to determine whether it was not used in the commission of crimes elsewhere. As a result more charges could possibly be added against the suspects as the probe continues.
The five suspects are expected to appear at the Standerton Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, Wednesday, 30th August 2023 facing a charge of carjacking, possession of unlicensed firearm with ammunition as well as house robbery. Another charge of reckless and neglected driving could be added against the suspects as the investigation continues.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela has welcomed the arrest of the suspects and further appreciated the collaborative efforts by the stakeholders involved which led to the success.
Content retrieved from: https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=48092.
