Robbers are fearless, especially when they are armed and greedy for money.
Locals in eMalahleni had to pay the price when armed robbers made their appearance.
It is alleged that on Monday, June 18, at about 13:00, a man was at Klipfontein when a silver Volkswagen Golf stopped next to him. It is believed that there were two men inside of the vehicle. The driver of the car allegedly offered the man a lift and he got in the vehicle.
After driving for a few minutes, the other suspect pulled out a firearm and demanded cash, a cell phone and a laptop from the victim. The suspects then took the man’s wallet which contained cash, bankcards, ID and drivers license. The man was dropped next to the road and the suspects sped off. No arrests have yet been made and police are still investigating the case.
A tour bus was on the way to Maputo without knowing that there are armed robbers on board.
It is alleged that on Friday, June 22, a tour bus filled with 72 passengers was on its way to Maputo and just as they passed Delmas, one passenger got up and told the driver to slow down. It is believed that another five armed passengers stood up and started to search the rest of the passengers confiscating cell phones, cash and passports.
ALSO READ
Business robberies on the increase at Vosman
The suspects instructed the bus driver to pull over near the Ogies off ramp and they got off the bus. The suspects are all unknown as they were wearing balaclavas.
During the early morning hours of Friday, June 22, a young male student was robbed while he was out on a smoke break.
“It was early in the morning as that is the boys study hours,” explained Mr Stanley White from the Del Judor 4 Neighbourhood Watch.
“The man was outside and just finished his cigarette, when he wanted to go back inside three suspects approached him and pointed knives at him,” said Mr White.
Allegedly the men then shoved him inside the house and made him lay down on the floor.
“The man couldn’t clearly remember what the time was although the last time he could recall checking on his watch was 01:06.”
The man lay down on the ground for a long while until everything was completely still. He then went to nearby family who contacted the neighbourhood watch via a Whatsapp group.
“Unfortunately the man is unable to identify the suspects and no arrests have yet been made,” concluded Mr White.
Witbank SAPS warns community members not to walk with their valuables such as cell phones and laptops in the streets.
“Always keep your valuables hidden away,” said Capt Eddie Hall. “Always walk in groups, never walk alone, especially not in the CBD of eMalahleni,” advised Capt Hall.
The Witbank SAPS are also picking up false cases made by people for insurance purposes; they warn that if you get caught committing such a crime, you will be charged with perjury.
