RUSTENBURG HERALD - MOGWASE - Three suspects accused of business robbery and kidnapping in Moruleng village, near Rustenburg, appeared before the Mogwase Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 15 July.
According to Lieut Col Sam Tselanyane, North West police Spokesperson, the trio’s court appearance follows their arrest on Saturday, 12 July, in Soweto, Gauteng.
It is alleged that on Thursday, 10 July, at about 08:00, a 36-year-old victim was with his employees at his business premises in Moruleng Village, when two vehicles arrived, a white Kia sedan and a white VW Jetta. The Kia vehicle was used to block the entrance of the business premises, while the VW Jetta occupants entered the premises, all armed with firearms. Both vehicles had four male occupants each. They then proceeded to rob the victim of a cell phone, took cash from the till and forced him into their vehicle and drove away.
A multi-disciplinary team consisting of the Provincial Organised Crime Unit, Mogwase and Bojanala Platinum Sub-District 2 (Rustenburg) Detectives, Provincial and National Crime Intelligence, Anti-Gang Investigation Unit, Tactical Response Team (TRT), Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) as well as the Hostage Negotiator was established. Furthermore, on Saturday, 12 July, the team managed to identify the two vehicles used in the commission of crime and an intelligence led operation was conducted to intercept a white Jetta with the assistance of Gauteng Police and Security officers at Protea Glen Mall, Soweto wherein one suspect was apprehended.
Later the same evening the team proceeded back to Gauteng Province to trace outstanding suspects. The team proceeded to a certain house in Molapo, Soweto, and managed to arrest another suspect and in the process also confiscate a white Kia vehicle. The second suspect led the team to his parental home as well as to a family member’s house where firearms were hidden. Upon arrival at the premises, the family member was found in possession of two unlicensed firearms, and two pistols. The family member was immediately arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms and appeared in court in Soweto. The vehicles and firearms were confiscated.
