POLICE ARREST SIX SUSPECTS LINKED TO ONLINE ROBBERIES IN TSHWANE

Police in Tshwane recovered eight firearms with scores of ammunition and arrested six suspects who are believed to be part of a syndicate that robbed unsuspecting online buyers in Tshwane.

These suspects who usually operate in Winterveld, Temba, Rietgat, Eersterus, Mabopane,

Hammanskraal and Dube were arrested in Eersterus on Thursday, 19 October 2023, following an
intelligent driven operation that included Tshwane Crime Intelligence, Cyber Crime Unit, Provincial
Online Combat Team and Rietgat Detectives.

The suspects are linked to more than twelve cases that include car hijacking, murder, armed robbery,
and kidnapping. Police received information about the person who responded to an advert that was placed on a social media platform (Facebook marketplace) for a VW Polo that was for sale.

Police kept observation as the potential buyer was to meet with the seller (suspects) at New Eersterus in Temba.

The four suspects were spotted, and police pounced on them. Upon searching the suspects, police found two unlicensed firearms, two magazines, twenty live ammunition, and five cell phones. Police proceeded with the suspects to other addresses where six more firearms, including a rifle and a shot gun, were recovered, and two suspects were arrested.

Further investigations led to the arrest of an e-hailing driver who is suspected of transporting the
syndicate when they commit crime.

Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela commended the team for a sterling work of stopping the syndicate that has been robbing unsuspecting online buyers.

All the suspects will be profiled and firearms taken for ballistic testing to determine if they were not
involved in the commission of other crimes.

More arrests are imminent as the police investigation is continuing.