WESTERN CAPE – Police in the Western Cape made a major breakthrough in the fight against serious and violent crimes with the arrest of a 33-year-old wanted suspect involved in various crimes in the region following an extensive search and investigation into the whereabouts of the man linked to an attack at a tavern in Thembalethu (George). 

Initial investigation into the attack revealed, on Sunday, 23 May 2021 a group was having a braai outside a residence situated in Asazani, Zone 6, Thembalethu, when gunmen stopped and started shooting at them. Six victims sustained gunshot wounds and cases of attempted murder were opened.  

On Thursday, 03 November 2022, George Public Order Police and Garden Route Crime Combatting Team members armed with a warrant of arrest pounced on a house at Sampie Street, Zone 9 where they apprehended the suspect, positively linked to the attack, on charges of attempted murder. The accused made his first court appearance on Friday, 04 November 2022 on six counts of attempted murder. He was remanded in custody. This matter was postponed to 12 December 2022 when the accused is expected to be joined by two others, aged 39 and 41, already in custody. 

Meanwhile, various probes conducted by Western Cape Provincial Crime Detectives (Serious and violent crime detectives) also positively linked the accused to numerous cases of murder and cash and transit robberies committed in the region.

Western Cape police management commended the team for their efforts to bring these perpetrators to book. Their arrest would go a long way in policing efforts to safeguard communities in this region.

Source: South African Police Service