Members of Welkom Public Order Police Reaction Team arrested seven suspects for possession of suspected stolen vehicle, attempted murder and rape in Thabong Meloding and Virginia respectively.
On 28 October 2021, at about 10:00, members of Welkom POP Reaction Team followed up on intelligence driven information about the whereabouts of suspects for an attempted murder incident that took place on 09 October 2021, at 057 Pub and Grill tavern. A house in Nkabadele, Thokoza Section was approached and a 39-year-old suspect was arrested. The second suspect, also aged 39, was arrested near Day Care house in Themba Section in Thabong.
A murder weapon was also found where it was hidden. The suspects are facing a charge of attempted murder.
In a separate incident, at about 14:30, members continued operationalized information which led them to a house in Mallard in Virginia. On arrival at the premises, members found a stripped vehicle in a garage which tested positive to have been stolen in Virginia. Members continued conducting a thorough search and three additional suspects were found hiding inside the scrap metals. The vehicle was found to be a white Toyota Hi Lux and the tools used to strip this stolen vehicle were also seized. The vehicle is estimated to be worth R70 000-00. The suspects arrested for possession of suspected stolen vehicle, are aged between 21 to 45.
In the last incident, at about 17:00, members followed up on information about a 14-year-old teen girl who was raped in Meloding. She came to the Police to report that she saw the alleged rapist.
Members immediately proceeded to the identified place where the perpetrator was seen. On their arrival next to Meloding High School, the suspect was walking on foot and the victim pointed him out as the perpetrator who raped her. A 21-year-old man was arrested for alleged rape of the minor.
The arrested suspects will appear in Welkom and Virginia Magistrate’s Courts respectively on 02 November 2021.
The POP Unit members were applauded for their vigilance and for going the extra mile even beyond their shift hours.
Source: South African Police Service