Seven suspects aged between 21 and 38 were arrested on Tuesday 29 August, 2023 at Calcutta for possession of suspected stolen goods. Amongst those arrested are five women
According to information, around 07h15 am, Crime Prevention members received information about a truck that was reportedly hijacked in Marite. The men and women in blue responded to the matter.
During the search and investigation, they found a truck abandoned at Mandiyane near Marite. Upon further inspection of the truck, they realised that it was empty and all goods worth about R800 000-0 are said to have been stolen. Members also discovered that the truck had a bullet hole on the passenger’s side with an empty cartridge found at the scene.
The members continued with their investigation and further conducted a search at the nearby houses and that was the time when they recovered some of the stolen items, including Cuddle wipes, some clothing items, clothes for children, some batteries, nappies, as well as shoes.
Preliminary investigation by the Police indicates that the items were supposed to be delivered at different shops.
Later, the driver managed to go to Marite Satellite Police Station and opened a case of armed robbery. The driver informed the Police that his colleague sustained some injuries from a smashed truck window glass as a result of a shot that was fired.
The recovered items were confiscated for further investigation.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Mkhuhlu Magistrate’s Court today, 31 August 2023 facing charges of possession of suspected stolen properties. The Police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges against the suspects as the investigation continues.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the arrest of the suspects and appreciated members for their relentless efforts in ensuring that those who commit crime are arrested and face the full might of the law. “We have noticed a trend with much concern whereby delivery vehicles are targeted by perpetrators. The most worrying factor is that some community members do not see anything wrong in looting or stealing items from these hijacked cars, even when such vehicles are involved in accidents. We strongly condemn this evil practice and warn people to stop doing this because they will be arrested, “said the General.
Content retrieved from: https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=48141.
