Nine members from eMalahleni community were held up at gunpoint in the streets.
On Saturday, October 17 at 15:00 Mr Reitumetse Motaung alleged that he was walking down Mandela Street in the Central Business District (CBD) when he came across two unknown men.
The one suspect was armed with a firearm and threatened Motaung. He was then searched by the other suspect who took his cell phone.
Ms Nontokoza Magagula alleged that on Friday, October 16 at 16:00 she was waiting at the taxi rank when she was robbed of her cell phone.
On the same day Mr Comfort Mokabane alleged that he was on his way home when he was approached by three armed men.
One of them grabbed his bag and the other two threatened him with a knife.
Once they had the bag they ran away.
Mr Kenneth Booysen alleged that on Thursday, October 15 at 12:00 he was walking along Mandela Street from Highveld Mall to his home.
He then decided to take a short cut through the veldt, while walking an unknown man came towards him and pointed a firearm at him.
While an 11 year old boy was riding his bicycle near the Witbank SPCA on Wednesday, October 14 at 14:30 he was approached by three suspects that threatened him with a knife.
The suspects took his bicycle and ran off into the veldt.
On Tuesday, October 13 at 19:40 Ms Nothando Buthelezi alleged that she walked past a school in Gazelle Street after finishing school with a friend.
While the two girls were walking they came across an unknown suspect who was armed with a knife.
They took their school bags which had all their school books inside it.
The suspect searched Booysen and took his cell phone and cash then ran away.
On Monday, October 12 at 09:05 Mr DW. Swanepoel was going to go deposit money which was in a cash bag. He walked with another person to the bank.
Then suddenly two unknown men approached them with firearms and took the money bag out of his hand.
That is when the men ran towards the taxi rank and disappeared into the crowd.
Ms Maria Godi alleged that she was on her way home when she was approached by two unknown men on Friday, October 9 at 20:00.
The suspects took her cell phone and other belongings.
On October 2 at approximately 17:45 Mr Maarisak Mohapi alleged that he went to the CBD in Beatty Street to fetch his nephew. When he arrived there he parked his vehicle next to the bus stop. While parked an unknown suspect came towards him armed with a firearm.
The suspect then asked Mohapi to hand over his cell phone.
“The CBD remains a problem area with regard to these types of robberies. When people walk alone, be aware of your surroundings,” said Captain Eddie Hall, spokesperson from Witbank SAPS.
The police can confirm that one suspect was arrested on Monday, October 19 in the CBD and he had a knife in his possession.
