NELSPRUIT - The Police from Witbank arrested two suspects who could possibly be linked to several cases of robberies around the area of Witbank recently. Two male suspects, aged 41and 44 were apprehended in Witbank in the morning of 24 June 2022.

According to information, in the early hours of the said day, a group of armed suspects allegedly stopped a courier vehicle on the R544 Road and robbed the driver of about 40 cell phones. It is said that the alleged robbers also forced the victim into the back of the bakkie before they left.

At around 09:40 am members of Visible Policing from Witbank SAPS received information about suspicious vehicles. The members then mobilized their resources, thereby tracking the suspects with the assistance from a private tracking company.

Information was operationalized which led the team to Uthingo Park area in Witbank where suspects were found still busy offloading some items from two vehicles, a white VW Polo TSI and a blue VW Polo TSI. Upon noticing police, two of the suspects are said to have then fled to evade arrest while their two accomplices were arrested.

Police searched for the two remaining suspects as well as the vehicles whereby 40 suspected stolen cell phones, a firearm pistol with 14 rounds of ammunition and a toy gun were found. It was further established that the serial number of the seized firearm was filled off.

The suspects were charged with armed robbery and possession of unlicensed firearm with ammunition. The firearm will be subjected to ballistic testing to determine whether it was used in crime committed elsewhere. The police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges against the suspects as the investigation continues. Meanwhile the outstanding suspects are still being sought by the police.

The two are expected to appear at the Witbank Magistrate's Court on Monday, 27 June 2022 facing the said charges.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has once again praised the members for their relentless effort in the ongoing battle against the proliferation of firearms in society. "We highly commend the hard work displayed by members and we are also adamant that in the speed that we are moving with, our ideal goal of safety for all citizens will soon be attained. This should encourage the public to continue and provide valuable information to police" said the General.

Source: South African Police Service