WESTERN CAPE – Swift response by police landed five suspects behind bars who are expected to appear in court on Monday, 20 December 2021. Their arrests follows on robberies which were perpetrated at Thembalethu (George) and Knysna respectively.

On Friday, 17 December 2021, police responded to a house robbery scene at Zone 4, Thembalethu in George. It is alleged that at least four men entered the residence. One of them strangled the victim and stabbed him on the head. He managed to escape and sought assistance from a neighbour. The suspects thereafter took an undisclosed amount of cash, cellphone, liquor and keys before they fled the scene.

Investigation took police to an informal settlement at Zone 07, Thembalethu where four suspects were arrested on a charge of house robbery.

The foursome, aged between 22 and 24, remain in custody. They are scheduled to appear in the Thembalethu Magistrates’ court.

In an unrelated incident, on the same day, members of the Knysna police Crime Prevention Unit acted on information about a robbery at Waterfront Drive, Knysna. Information at the time revealed that a man armed with a firearm robbed a 54-year-old victim of a cellphone and personal belongings. Authorities were alerted which led to a tracing operation in the central business district.

Information on the whereabouts of the suspect took police to the Knysna Taxi Rank where he was taken into custody. Upon searching the suspect the members found an air pistol as well as the stolen items in his possession. Police confiscated these items.

The 36-year-old suspect remains in custody. He is expected to appear in the Knysna Magistrates’’ court on a charge of armed robbery.

Acting Eden Cluster Commander, Brigadier Phumzile Cetyana, praised the members for their prompt response in bringing these perpetrators to book.

Source: South African Police Service