The recovered vehicle that was allegedly stolen in KZN
By Kopano Dibakwane
Mpumalanga Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt-General Semakaleng Manamela, has warned criminals, particularly car thieves, that Mpumalanga police will not tolerate any form of criminality.
Manamela was responding to the swift arrest of three suspects identified as Alli Banda(34), Bongani Ndlovu(47) and Siyabonga Dlamini(40), in the early hours of Wednesday 14 February at Volksrust, after they were reportedly found in possession of a stolen vehicle(a white Honda Civic), house breaking equipment, as well as an unlicensed firearm.
According to a report by Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, the three suspects were reported to be allegedly involved in a house robbery incident in Newcastle, Kwazulu-Natal(KZN), in the early hours of the day of their arrest, whereby a motor vehicle was stolen.
“ Police in Volksrust received information from members of the Police in Newcastle(KZN) about suspects who committed a house robbery and allegedly shot the victim. Police responded swiftly and spotted the vehicle with three occupants in Volksrust. The vehicle was stopped and a search was conducted.
“ One of the occupants was found in possession of a 9mm Norinco pistol loaded with ammunition. A crowbar, grinder, side cutter as well as four cutting discs were also found in possession of the three suspects,” said Mdhluli.
Lt-General Manamela welcomed the arrest and thanked the interprovincial partnership that assists in tackling crimes committed across provinces.
“ It is now a common practice that suspects should consider that if you hijack or steal a vehicle, don’t bother coming to Mpumalanga because you will get arrested for sure. We also encourage our members, as well as other law enforcement agencies, to continue doing their work because the effort that they put in, always produces positive results,” said Manamela.
The three suspects remain in custody after they appeared at the Volksrust Magistrate’s Court for legal representation.
Colonel Mdhluli said that the suspects will be transferred to Newcastle to face charges of theft of motor vehicle and house robbery. He added that police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges as investigation continues.
