LIMPOPO – Five men are expected to appear before the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate Court, tomorrow, 25 September 2020, on charges of attempted murder, car hijacking, possession of suspected stolen property, illegal possession of firearms and the illegal possession of ammunition and possession of drugs.
Two of the five suspects are out on bail following their arrest for murder and attempted murder, respectively.
Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo explained that one suspect (47) was released on R2 000 bail after he was arrested for allegedly killing a 90-year-old woman and her 62-year-old daughter in Gogobole village.
Read more: Mom (90) and daughter (60) shot and killed in their home
“The other suspect (28) is out on R1 000 bail for an attempted murder he allegedly committed in July in Tshilwavhusiku.”
The five men’s arrest follows an armed robbery and car hijacking as well as a shootout with police in the Tshilwavhusiku area, near Louis Trichardt.
Mojapelo says police were searching for a murder suspect who had escaped from the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate Court on Wednesday morning when they came across a motor vehicle with five occupants.
“The suspects shot at the police who retaliated, injuring one. All five suspects were immediately arrested and the injured suspect is receiving medical treatment under police guard,” his statement read.
Mojapelo adds that preliminary investigations revealed the suspects had robbed security officers patrolling along the Muraleni railway line on Tuesday morning, 22 September.
“Two security officers were accosted by the suspects who fired shots before robbing them of their two service pistols, three cellphones, money and then hijacked their security company car. The security officers were not injured and the vehicle was found abandoned along the Muraleni gravel road,” he said.
During Wednesday’s arrests, police confiscated three pistols, one rifle, 20 rounds of live ammunition, seven cellphones, 117 sachets of nyaope, 17 packets of crystal meth, one sachet of rocks. The vehicle is believed to belong to one of the suspects.
“The possibility of linking these suspects with other serious crimes across the Vhembe District cannot be ruled out,” Mojapelo added.
The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Gen Nneke ledwaba has commended members for their dedication and bravery. “The arrest of these alleged criminals and the confiscations that were made will send a strong message that the police are more than determined to root out acts of criminality,” he said.
