By Kopano Dibakwane
The SAPS(South African Police Service) in Mpumalanga has arrested five suspects, aged between 19 and 30, in connection with two robbery incidents on Friday 5 September 2025.
The suspects were reportedly arrested on the N4 Road near Kanyamazane turn-off, where two firearms and several mobile phones and other items were recovered.
The first robbery incident reportedly occurred at a church in Ngwenyeni near Nkomatipoort, where a 14-year-old boy was injured when the suspects fired shots.
The second incident reportedly took place at a tavern in Madadeni, near Komatipoort in Nkomazi. In a separate incident, a suspect was fatally shot after allegedly robbing congregants at a Muslim church in Kwaggafontein.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, said the arrest of the five suspects was made possible through information shared with members of the Mpumalanga Provincial Anti-hijacking Task Team and Dog Unit.
“ The information also indicated that the suspects were travelling in a blue VW Polo along the N4 Road, heading towards Kanyamazane.The VW Polo was spotted and intercepted by the astute members of the SAPS on the N4 Road near Kanyamazane.
“ There were five male occupants inside the vehicle. These males were searched and inside the vehicle, a bag containing a lot of cell phones as well as a laptop and cash were found. On further search inside the vehicle, Police discovered three 9mm pistols with ammunition,” said Brigadier Mdhluli.
The arrested suspects are expected to appear at Kanyamazane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 08 September 2025 facing various charges, including possession of unlicenced firearms, and possession of suspected stolen properties, amongst the charges.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi has warned that the incidents of robberies at churches and places of worship are not taken lightly.
“We recently indicated that we are working collaboratively with the Faith-Based-Organisations to deal with this trend of robberies. Perpetrators should be warned and we believe that the arrest of the five will assist in resolving some of these cases. This is just the beginning and we are hopeful that we will overcome this challenge, ” said General Mkhwanazi.
