Two more suspects appear in court as the net closes in on the Boko Haram group
Two more suspects have been arrested since the last two arrests just over two weeks ago, and the duo appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court today, 23 March 2021 on charges of robbery, contravening of Security Act, and racketeering after business people in and around Mamelodi alleged that they were forced to pay monies to the suspects in exchange for some kind of “protection” for themselves and their businesses.
The two suspects were arrested on 18 March 2021 as the investigations into crimes committed by the notorious Boko Haram group continue; and through a prosecutorial-led investigation, police were able to build a solid preliminary case on which the pair made their first appearance in court today. The case was postponed in court to 12 April 2021 for bail application, pending further investigation.
The SAPS in Gauteng previously assured victims/complainants that in order for police to be able to effectively investigate and arrest the so-called Boko Haram members, the complainants would have to go through with the entire process of reporting a crime. Complainants were urged to refrain from withdrawing reported cases, and encouraged to submit statements to the investigators and where necessary, participate in Identification Parades (ID) and other investigative processes.
The Acting Police Commissioner of Gauteng, Major General Tommy Mthombeni has reiterated this call, asking the communities of Mamelodi and surroundings to continue to work closely with the police towards disrupting and ending the Boko Haram’s reign of terror.
“While we as the SAPS are encouraged by the responsiveness of the complainants that has led to the arrest of four suspects so far, we hope that those who were previously afraid are now encouraged to report their cases so that these criminals are apprehended and taken to task”, said Major General Mthombeni.
