NATIONAL NEWS - Five people have been arrested in connection with the recent attacks and a murder that took place in the area of Magalies mountain range and the R80 Mabopane highway.
A police operation led to the arrests.
“An intelligence-driven operation on Wednesday, 14 October, led police to the suspects’ hideout in Marabastad where three people were traced and arrested,” police spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo Peters said, adding the others were already in police custody after they were arrested for two cases in Hercules during May and August 2020.
“These arrests emanate from the urgent intervention by the SAPS after Major-General Hilda Mohajane had, this week, assured the victims and the public in general that police would heighten visibility and intensify crime prevention operations in the area policed by Hercules and Akasia police stations.”
Peters said the centralisation of related dockets from Hercules and Akasia to district level was followed by the meticulous analysis of the modus operandi.
“Added to that, the co-operation of the victims led to the five suspects being linked to other cases including several cases of armed robbery, kidnapping and murder in September.
“Investigations continue as police believe that there are more victims,” Peters said.
She urged mountain users to exercise greater caution and not expose themselves to criminals who saw anything as an opportunity for crime.
“Should there be a need to visit the area, users are urged to rather do so in groups and to avoid embarking on any activities at night when it is dark. The heightened visibility and crime prevention operations in the area will continue for as long as it is necessary,” Peters said.
Meanwhile, provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela commended the “tireless efforts” of the detectives in the Tshwane district under the leadership Mohajane.
