NELSPRUIT – Police in Machadodorp have arrested three suspects aged between 33 and 35 soon after allegedly robbing security guards at a plantation in Machadodorp on Saturday, 19 November 2022 at around 03h30am.
According to the report, on the said day two security guards were busy patrolling as well as monitoring the control room at a certain business plantation. They were allegedly accosted by six armed suspects. One of the guards was allegedly tied up with shoe laces then held hostage by two of the suspects whilst another (guard) was reportedly tied and locked up inside a control/guard room, after being robbed of his mobile phone with its charger by the suspects. The suspects are said to have then began stripping copper cables from the plantation before they fled the scene with the stolen properties.
Thereafter one security guard somehow managed to loosen himself and sought for help. Police were alerted about the incident. The men and women in Blue did not disappoint as they swiftly reacted whilst being on the lookout for the suspects. The members soon noticed a white Colt double Cab bakkie driving in a high speed in town. This caught their attention and they immediately gave a chase and brought the vehicle to a halt.
Six occupants are said to have then jumped out of the vehicle then ran on foot. The members were on their heels and they apprehended two who were taken back to where the bakkie was. A search was conducted inside the car where copper cables were discovered. The two suspects were then arrested on charges of being in possession of suspected stolen properties. The bakkie was also confiscated for further investigation. The value of the copper cables is yet to be determined. Meanwhile a security company car stopped upon noticing police with two suspects. The guards informed the members that they had found a security guard from the said plantation who related the robbery incident. His colleague was later found still tied up and locked inside the control room then he was loosened at last. The two suspects could possibly be linked to the earlier incident of robbery with a firearm however upon further investigation, police were led to a certain shack at Siyathuthuka location in Belfast. Upon arrival they noticed two men who tried to flee but the members managed to arrest one of them though the other one evaded the arrest. After being questioned the man was charged with robbery in relation to the said incident of robbery meanwhile police are still in pursuit of the remaining suspects. Preliminary investigation thus far revealed that the three are originally from the country of Zimbabwe and investigators are working closely with the department of Home Affairs to ascertain their status in the country. More charges could be added against the three as the investigation continues.
The trio is expected to appear at the Emakhazeni Magistrate’s Court in Belfast on Monday, 21 November 2022 facing the said charges.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has praised members of the police for the arrest and recovery of the suspected stolen items. “We are indeed making an indelible mark in the fight against robberies and we hope that the arrest will somehow assist in solving either robberies or theft incidents committed previously” said the General.
Source: South African Police Service