On Monday, 1 February 2021 an armed robbery took place in Springbok and an undisclosed amount of cash was stolen. A man was shot and fatally wounded in the process.
Springbok Highway Patrol and Springbok POPS members were activated and they swiftly followed up on information which led to the apprehension and arrest of four suspects at a house in Okiep. Police also confiscated firearms and a vehicle as it was allegedly used in the commission of a crime.
Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the fifth suspect was en-route to Kuruman and members immediately activated Upington Highway Patrol, Olifantshoek, Kathu, Kuruman SAPS and other security companies for backup. The suspect was arrested on the N14 road near Kathu.
Preliminary investigation revealed that, the same suspects could possibly be linked to multiple cases in the Upington and Kuruman areas and it is believed that they utilize rental vehicles to commit crime. The suspects are originally from Kuruman area and are expected to appear before the Springbok Magistrates’ Court on charges of murder and armed robbery.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Henriette De Waal commended the multidisciplinary approach by SAPS and private security companies which led to the swift arrest of the suspects within few hours of the incident.
