Seven of the suspects were found at their hideout at Medinyeng village near Kgapane in Bolobedu outside Tzaneen. The other three were arrested at a lodge in the Dwarsloop area outside Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga. The provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Genl Thembi Hadebe, has praised the efforts of the Limpopo Special Task Team which resulted in the arrest of the suspects.
“They are not only suspects in the Malamulele attack but are also suspects in several ATM bombings. “On the night of November 21, the group of heavily armed suspects stormed the Community Service Centre (CSC) and robbed of the members on the duty of firearms and locked them in the back of a police van. “They then proceeded to take R4 rifles, pump guns, pistols, and ammunition from the safe and left the station after locking the gate. “The suspects went on to rob nearby businesses.
“A preliminary police investigation has positively linked the suspects with several ATM bombings and armed robberies in the province, including a recent incident at a filling station near the Capricorn toll gate along the N1 north where a police warrant officer was shot and wounded in the process. “They were also positively linked with the incident where a police sergeant attached to Botlokwa Police Station was robbed of his service pistol, R5 rifle, and bulletproof vest,” said Brig Motlafela Mojapelo, spokesperson for the police in Limpopo.
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He said that the team managed to recover a total of eleven firearms, ammunition, and explosives. Two motor vehicles, a Toyota bakkie, and a Mercedes Benz which were reportedly used to commit these crimes were also seized. The suspects, aged between 30 and 48, have appeared in magistrate’s courts across the Limpopo and Mpumalanga facing charges of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, possession of explosives, conspiracy to commit crimes, attempted murder, robbery with aggravated circumstances, carjackings, and attack on a police station.
“The meticulous investigation by the police officers is highly commendable. “I am ecstatic that the suspects who are allegedly responsible for the attack and tormenting our communities, will finally face the full might of the law. “We will also ensure that all the remaining suspects are apprehended and firearms recovered,” said Hadebe.
