Five male suspects age between 32 and 43 were arrested in Witbank, thanks to the efforts by the Tactical Response Team (TRT) in collaboration with SAPS members from Witbank who arrested the alleged armed robbers.
They were arrested on Monday, 14 November 2022 afternoon, few minutes after reportedly staging a business robbery at a jewellery shop in Klipfontein, Witbank.
On the said day around 15:15, it is said that a man came to the said shop where he reportedly pretended as a customer who was interested in purchasing some jewellery items. The burglar door was then unlocked for him by an employee in charge on the day. Once he was let in, it is alleged that he pulled out a firearm and then instructed the employee with the key to open for other suspects who seemed to have been part of alleged gang of robbers.
The group then reportedly stormed inside the Classic Jewellery store and helped themselves with several jewellery items before they fled using various motor vehicles, including a white Toyota Yaris.
The incident was reported to the police shortly after it occurred and police immediately reacted by mobilizing their resources whilst on the lookout for the suspects.
The alleged robbers were soon spotted by the police at Duvha Park residential area in Witbank, driving in a Toyota Yaris matching the description as provided during the initial report.
The vehicle was cornered and a shootout ensued between the suspects and the Police.
At the end, that was when the five were nabbed and a pistol with ammunition reportedly found in their possession. The said vehicle was further confiscated as Police suspects that it was used in the commission of crime. The firearm will also undergo ballistic testing to determine if it was used in other crimes committed elsewhere.
Police in this regard are working in collaboration with the department of Home Affairs to ascertain their status in the country.
The arrested suspects are expected to appear at the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 16 November 2022 and they are facing charges of being in possession of unlicensed firearm with ammunition. They could possibly be linked to the said business robbery.
Police at this point cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges against the suspects as the investigation continues. The other remaining suspects are still at large and police are still in pursuit of them. Therefore police urge anyone with information that may assist in apprehending them to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP.
All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
Meanwhile the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has reaffirmed the public that police and other law enforcement agencies will continue to intensify efforts whilst being vigilant, more especially as the festive season operation begins in the province of Mpumalanga.
