Suspects linked to Pretoria robberies, murder due in court

At least five suspects the South African Police Service (SAPS) believes have been behind a number of crimes, including a murder and robberies in parts of Pretoria, are expected to make an appearance at the Magistrate Court on Monday, 19 October 2020.

The suspects are said to have embarked on their crimes spree in the Theo Martins Poort – Magalies Mountain area along the R-80 Mabopane Highway, north of the capital.

According to police, the arrests were made on Wednesday 14 October 2020, as a result of an intelligence-led operation. The pounced on the three suspects who were in hiding in Marabastad.

“These arrests emanate from the urgent intervention by the South African Police Service, after Major General Mohajane had this past week, assured the victims and the public in general that police would as a matter of urgency, heighten visibility and intensify crime prevention operations in the area policed by Hercules and Akasia police stations,” said SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo Peters.

The other two suspects had already been in police custody after being handcuffed earlier on two cases in Hercules in May and August 2020.

Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has commended the efforts of the Tshwane District Detectives led by newly appointed District Commissioner, Major General Hilda Mohajane, that resulted in the tracing and swift apprehension of all the suspects in the case.

More arrests can be expected

Peters said they were able to crack the case, largely due to the centralisation of related dockets from Hercules and Akasia to District level. Detectives also scrutinised the modus operandi of the perpetrators, which helped them better piece together the case.

While police have not been too specific as far as the circumstances surrounding the charges are concerned, witness have also played a critical role.

One case includes armed robbery, kidnapping and murder in Akasia, in September 2020, as well as a number of other serious and violent crimes mostly armed robberies and robbery with a weapon other than a firearm.

Police have also said they are not ruling out the possibility of more arrests in the matter – and that the list of victims could also become longer.

“Police wish to emphasise to mountain users, be it for leisure such as hiking and cycling, or for spiritual activities, or for any other reason, to exercise greater caution and not expose themselves to criminals who see anything as an opportunity for crime. Should there be a need to visit the area, users are urged to rather do so in groups and to avoid embarking on any activities at night when it is dark,” Peters concluded.