Thembi Hadebe, the commissioner of the Limpopo Provincial Police, has praised the quick capture of those wanted for the suspected Friday stokvel money theft in Madibong, near Jane Furse.
Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, a spokesperson for the Limpopo SAPS, stated that LHP officers in Sekhukhune were going about their regular patrol duties when they got a backup call from Jane Furse police regarding a robbery.
“They went to the site right away, and when they got there, they discovered that about 10 suspects, all of whom were armed with pistols, had reportedly robbed stokvel ladies of money worth about R55 000.
Members of the community are said to have apprehended one of the culprits, who was then stoned to death.
“It was also discovered that the neighborhood watch members had been pursuing a different suspect, who had since entered Jane Furse Hospital and was holding security guards at gunpoint hostage.
The security guard was rescued by members of the Highway Patrol and Operational Respond Services (ORS), and the 26-year-old suspect was detained right away, according to Mojapelo.
A bakkie used by other suspects to flee the area was later discovered abandoned in Mamone village.
The search for the fugitives continues.
“The members’ prompt action, which resulted in the suspect’s arrest, is highly praiseworthy.
The remaining suspects must be located and apprehended in order to be charged.
However, we sternly advise neighborhood residents to refrain from enforcing the law on their own and to cooperate with law enforcement in the battle against crime “Hadebe added.
Stokvel members were admonished by Mojapelo to avoid taking out and handling huge sums of cash in order to divide it among themselves and instead, whenever possible, use banking services.
There were opened investigations of murder, armed robbery, and unlawful gun and ammunition possession.
On Monday, July 11, 2022, the suspect is scheduled to appear in the Sekhukhune Magistrate’s Court to answer to allegations of armed robbery and illegal firearm and ammunition possession.
Detective Warrant Officer Enoch Mashilo can be reached at 082 319 9526, or you can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 08600 10111, or go to your local police station if you have any information that could help identify the suspects involved in both occurrences.