The Provincial Organised Crime in cooperation with Klerksdorp Tactical Response Team (TRT) pounced on three unsuspecting robbery suspects on Saturday, 12 November 2023, in Kanana. This operation came after extensive police investigations and identification of suspects, who were allegedly involved in a robbery case in Kanana during October 2023.
It was reported that the victim responded on Wednesday, 11 October 2023, to a Facebook advertisement in which a Toyota Quantum Taxi was advertised for a very cheap price. He and his son drove from Mahikeng to Kanana where they met the seller. He was shown the vehicle at a house in Kanana and then transferred R150 000.00 through his banking app into the seller’s account. The victim and his son were suddenly overpowered by eight males who claimed to be police officers. They assaulted the duo and took their cellular phones. One of the suspects send cash via “Cash Send” from the victim’s phone. They further took the victim’s bank card, then forced him to give them the pin number and ultimately withdrew money from an Automated Teller Machine (ATM). After the ordeal, the victims were released and went to report the matter at the local police station.
Tebogo Deco Chosi (32), Mpho Pitso (38) and Daniel Gideon Rwexane (36) appeared before the Orkney Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 14 November 2023, on charges of fraud, robbery, assault and impersonating police officials. They were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on Tuesday, 21 November 2023.
Further police investigations linked the suspects to three more cases reported during September and October in Jouberton and Kanana. In one of the robbery cases reported in Jouberton on Sunday, 24 September 2023, police also arrested Seokama Abrams (50), Zamile Marote (51) and David Metlholo Mereko (60). They used the same modus operandi of luring the unsuspecting victims by advertising a Toyota Quantum taxi via Facebook. The suspects made the first appearance before the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 30 October 2023. The trio was also remanded in custody and are expected to re-appear before the same court soon.
The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the teams for their dedication, thorough investigation and diligence that resulted in the arrests. He urged members of the community to exercise caution when responding to online advertisements and to rather meet potential sellers or buyers at public places for their own safety.
