A 24-year-old man believed to be involved in several truck hijackings in the Masoyi area of Mbombela, Mpumalanga, was arrested at a coffee shop this week.
According to the police report, a task team from the Crime Intelligence received information about the whereabouts of the suspect, leading him to a cafe in Mahushu.
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said the suspect was found at the cafe, after arriving in a motor vehicle. The police called him over and proceeded to question him.
They then searched the vehicle and found a firearm with ammunition, for which the suspect could not produce a license.
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Mohlala confirmed that the suspect was arrested and charged with robbery with a firearm, as well as possession of an unlicensed firearm with ammunition.
“The firearm will undergo ballistics testing to determine if it was used in another crime.
“Preliminary investigations also revealed that the suspect was involved in other criminal activities so the charge of robbery with firearms was added,” said Mohlala.
He also said that the police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges against the suspect as the investigation continues.
Mohlala further confirmed that the suspect’s vehicle was also impounded for further investigation.
The suspect will appear in the Kabokweni Magistrate’s Court on Monday to face the charges.
Women are kidnapped and held hostage
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, police in Cape Town arrested a 39-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman on suspicion of kidnapping.
According to police reports, officers from the Cape Town Central Police were following up on information that a 28-year-old woman was being held at a local hotel.
Police spokesman Captain Frederick van Wyk said the victim managed to escape and gave police information about the kidnappers.
“The policemen returned to the hotel after giving information.
“An unknown woman opened the door of the room where the defendant was not wanted. The unknown woman was questioned after she voluntarily handed over two packages containing ticks,” said Captain van Wyk.
After obtaining permission to continue searching the room, police found 1011 tablets, believed to be mandrax, along with another drug called G-liquid, which was reportedly used as a date rape drug.
The drugs have been seized and forensic tests will be carried out.
After the arrest of the 40-year-old woman and the seizure of the drugs, the police received additional intelligence about the presence of the man.
After tracing the location to another hotel in Cape Town, members of the police went there and arrested a 39-year-old male suspect. Further investigation revealed that the male suspect was linked to a number of reported contact crimes in Gauteng.
The two suspects will appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s court on Monday.
Compiled by Devina Haripersad
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