The South African Police Service Provincial Commissioner of Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has welcomed the arrest of eight suspects linked to the Dobsonville, Bramfisherville house invasion where occupants were allegedly held at gun point, robbed and a woman raped by unknown number of suspects during the early hours of 28 September 2021.
It is reported that at about 02:00, the complainant was woken up by unknown men who forced their entry into the house and the back room and robbed the occupants of electronic and personal items. A tenant was also reportedly raped by the suspects.
The case was handed over to the Benoni Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences. Yesterday, 27 October 2021, the team arrested six suspects, while the other two suspects were apprehended on the 17th and 22nd of October 2021. The police recovered a firearm during the arrest and it will be taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic testing to establish if it cannot be linked to other crimes.
All suspects are South African nationals, contrary to messages and videos that the SAPS management have noticed with concern purporting that there are six armed Mozambican nationals that are terrorizing the community of Dobsonville.
The last six suspects have also been charged with house robbery and rape. While the first and second accused, Paseka Mabalane and Nhlanhla Xaba, have appeared in court and they have been remanded in custody.
The investigating team is currently profiling the suspects to determine if they cannot be linked to cases reported in Dobsonville and the surrounding areas with the similar modus operandi.
The Provincial Commissioner has commended the FCS team for effecting the arrest as this will bring the victims justice they deserve. Lieutenant General Mawela has condemned those that are circulating videos and messages that seek to only instil fear in the communities of Gauteng.
“I am appealing to the social media community to use these platforms responsibly. Recording and distributing a video showing the identity of victims of violent crime is irresponsible,” cited the Provincial Commissioner.
“I am however happy that the suspects will be facing the full might of the law. Though it is little comfort to the victims, I hope that now, they will be sleeping knowing that the people responsible for unsettling and invading their right to feel and be safe are behind bars,” said Lt Gen Mawela.
The suspects will be appearing at the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 29 October 2021.
Source: South African Police Service
