The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela has appreciated the effort by police at Mhala after two suspects, Benny Qhibi aged 27 and Tiyani Mashele aged 38, were remanded in custody after appearing at the Mhala Magistrate's Court, yesterday, 03 June 2022 on separate charges of possession of unlicensed firearm and possession of suspected stolen vehicle.

In the first incident, police received information, on 02 June 2022, about a man who was allegedly in possession of an unlicensed firearm at Hluvukani Village in Thulamahashe. Upon arrival at the said house they searched inside and found a hunting rifle, which the man failed to produce a license for and he was arrested.

In the second incident, police received an alert from vehicle tracking company, Tracker, about a stolen vehicle, a white Nissan NP 200 that was heading towards Thulamahashe. They responded swiftly and together with the members from Tracker intercepted the vehicle at Thulamahashe. When police questioned the driver he claimed he bought the vehicle in Acornhoek on Wednesday, 01 June 2022. A further probe into the matter then revealed that the said vehicle was taken during a house robbery in Limpopo on 30 May 2022 and the man was then arrested.

Tiyani Mashele will appear in court again on Monday, 06 June 2022 and Benny Qhibi on 13 June 2022.

The Provincial Commissioner has applauded the members for their commitment and alertness when responding to both matters, which ensured the speedy arrests of both suspects.

Source: South African Police Service