Members of Hoedspruit Farm Watch help police nab business robbers

LIMPOPO – On Monday afternoon the police received a report about an armed robbery at a local cafe in The Oaks village. “It is alleged two men, wearing masks, had entered the store at around 13:30. One was armed with a firearm and demanded money from an employee. During the incident they robbed the store of an undisclosed amount of money and cigarettes, then fled the scene in a bakkie,” explained Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo.

Mojapelo said the police, assisted by members of the Hoedspruit Farm Watch, tracked these suspects until a vehicle matching the description of the getaway vehicle was spotted in Hoedspruit.

“The vehicle was stopped and searched, during which the police recovered the suspected stolen money as well as a revolver with ammunition.”

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The two men were arrested and their vehicle seized. The duo are expected to appear in Hoedspruit Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of business robbery and possession of illegal firearm and ammunition, Mojapelo added.

Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Genl Nneke Ledwaba has welcomed the support from community structures such as the Farm Watch to fight crime. “Community-based structures like the Community Police Forums (CPF) and the Community Safety Forums (CSF), play a pivotal role in the fight against crime,” concluded General Ledwaba.

Meanwhile, in the Vhembe district, the police managed to foil and business robbery and arrests three men at a business complex in Malamulele on Monday. Mojapelo says the police were alerted to the robbery and arrived at the scene while the robbery was still in progress. “The police found the security officer tied up and the three suspects were arrested on the spot. Two firearms and ammunition, housebreaking equipment and a vehicle were confiscated during the arrest.”

The suspects will appear in the local magistrate’s court soon.