Gauteng Department of Community Safety MEC Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane applauded the joint operation conducted by Gauteng Traffic Police, National Crime Intelligence, Gauteng Flying Squad and Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department which led to the arrest of two suspects upon receiving a tip-off from a member of the public about a planned business robbery in Hillbrow.
The law enforcement agencies acted swiftly and spotted a vehicle matching the description in Hillbrow with one male occupant.
After stopping the vehicle and conducting an inspection, the police discovered that the car was reported stolen in the same neighbourhood. According to police, the suspect was then taken to his house where nine AK47 rounds and 20 .303 rifle rounds were recovered.
The suspect voluntarily pointed out his accomplice who resides in Melville where a further 14 9mm rounds were found in his possession.
The suspects were detained at Brixton and Hilbrow police stations, respectively.
They were charged with unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of a fake identity document. The second suspect, who is a most-wanted criminal, was linked to about 20 cases of business robberies and armed robberies in and outside Gauteng.
Police also linked this suspect to bank robberies in Vosloorus and Johannesburg Central, an attempted business robbery and an attempted murder in Bramley.
Nkosi-Malobane said, “I applaud the whistle-blower who assisted in the arrest of the most-wanted suspect for a spate of business robberies in and outside Gauteng. Community intelligence is indeed key in the fight against crime. I am hopeful that the arrest of these two suspects will restore business confidence in the affected areas.”
Nkosi-Malobane also appealed to the criminal justice system not to grant them bail and to ensure that they face the full might of the law. “I also appeal to the citizens of Gauteng to assist law enforcement agencies in rooting out these brazen and callous criminals from our society,” she said.
