On Monday, 24 October 2016, seven suspects aged between 27 and 38 are expected to appear in the Bafokeng and Rustenburg Magistrates' Courts respectively on charges relating to crimes robberies of cigarettes vans.

In the first case in Tlhabane, police arrested five suspects after swiftly responding to a tip-off that about four armed and balaclava wearing men were seen hijacking a cigarette van outside a liquor store at Sidzumo Street at approximately 10:30 on Thursday, 20 October 2016 in Tlhabane location.

According to information, the suspects pointed the driver of the cigarettes van and his crew with firearms and drove the hijacked vehicle to a secluded area in the bushes. They allegedly robbed the victims of their cellphones and cash. The suspects then allegedly cut open the cash safe where they took an undisclosed amount of money, tied the victims up with ropes and left them inside the van. The robbers then drove off in a BMW with Gauteng Province registration numbers.

Through assistance from the community, the police were alerted and given the description of the suspects and their getaway vehicle.  Subsequent to a lengthy look-out, the suspects’ vehicle was spotted in Rustenburg North travelling towards the city. Upon noticing the police, the suspects allegedly turned and drove back and that led to a chase.

The suspects allegedly shot at the police who returned fire and the driver (of the suspects’ getaway car) was shot on the leg. He apparently lost control of the vehicle that came to a halt outside a house in Geelhoutpark after hitting a tree. The police managed to apprehend five suspects and recovered an undisclosed amount of cash as well as three cellphones. The suspects are facing charges of car-hijacking, robbery and attempted murder.

In the second unrelated case in Rustenburg, two suspects were arrested for robbery, possession of suspected stolen goods and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition on Friday, 21 October 2016.

Their arrest stemmed from an incident in which four unknown males hijacked a cigarettes delivery vehicle just after leaving a depot in Rustenburg.  According to information, one of the suspects then drove the hijacked vehicle, a Volkswagen Caddy loaded with cigarettes while other suspects drove with the victim in a Volkswagen, Amarok van.

The victim was taken to a house that is still under construction in Phokeng where he was fastened with cable ties and left inside by the suspects who left the place on foot. The police who were alerted about the incident and already in pursuit of the delivery vehicle, arrested one of the suspects in Phokeng after he lost control of the vehicle. A 9mm pistol with a loaded magazine and cigarettes were recovered.  A further search resulted in apprehension of another suspect driving a Toyota Quantum along R104 road in Rustenburg. They will be facing possession of suspected stolen goods and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane commended the police in Rustenburg Cluster for their quick response that led to arrest of the suspects in both incidents.  She said that the apprehension of the suspects will definitely serve as an indication that the police will not hesitate to deal effectively with criminals who have no place in society. She also thanked the community for coming forward with information that led to the successes.

 

Issued by South African Police Service