Three suspects aged between 34 and 47 were arrested in Volksrust in the early hours of Wednesday, 14 February 2024 for possession of a suspected stolen vehicle, possession of house breaking implements as well as for unlawful possession of firearm with ammunition.
The trio is suspected to have also been involved in a house robbery incident whereby a motor vehicle was stolen in Newcastle, KwaZulu Natal in the early hours of that said Wednesday.
According to information, on that day around 01:30 am, police in Volksrust received information from members of the Police in Newcastle (KZN) about suspects who committed a house robbery at Newcastle and allegedly shot the victim. The suspects are said to have stolen the victim’s vehicle, a white Honda Civic.
Police responded swiftly and spotted the vehicle with three occupants inside at Volksrust. The vehicle was stopped and a search was conducted and it was during this period when one of the occupants was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm, loaded with ammunition. House breaking implements, including a crowbar, a ginder, and a side cutter as well as four cutting discs were also found in the possession of the suspects.
The suspects were arrested then charged accordingly.
The three suspects, identified as Alli Banda (34), Bongani Ndlovu (47) and Siyabonga Dlamini (40) appeared at the Volksrust Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 15 February 2024 where the case was postponed to Monday, 19 February 2024 for legal representation. Currently, the three suspects remained in custody and they will be further transferred to Newcastle to face the charge of house robbery as well as theft of motor vehicle. Police cannot rule out possibilities of adding other charges as investigations continue.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela took this opportunity to welcome the arrest of the suspects. The General further appreciated the good interprovincial partnership that exists as it assist in tackling crimes being committed across provinces. “It is now a common practice that suspects should consider that if you hijack or steal a vehicle, don’t bother coming to Mpumalanga because you will get arrested for sure. We also encourage our members as well as other law enforcement agencies, to continue doing their work because the effort that they put always produces positive results, “said the General.
