A joint sting operation between SAPS members from Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal led to the arrest of 7 suspects aged between19 and 35 on charges of being found in possession of 60 suspected robbed and stolen mobile phones in Piet Retief on 07 July 2022.
According to the information, there was a business robbery at Boxer Supermarket in Piet Retief on Tuesday, 04 July 2022. In response to the robbery, a team was assembled to trace the suspects thereof. Information regarding the whereabouts of the suspects was availed then followed up by members of the team and they were led to Richards Bay in KZN. As a result, one suspect was apprehended in connection with the said robbery incident.
In the tour of a thorough investigation, further details were obtained, leading to the arrest of additional 6 suspects. Among the suspects arrested, two are shop owners who were found with some of the suspected stolen cell phones in the shelves of their shops. They too were charged with possession of suspected stolen properties.
The suspects could further be linked to other robbery incidents previously reported in various areas of the province or even somewhere else. Police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges against them as the probe continues.
Preliminary investigation thus far has revealed that some of the items were robbed and stolen in Amsterdam, Paul Pietersburg (in KZN) and Piet Retief.
The suspects are expected to appear at the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 11 July 2022 facing the said charges.
Meanwhile the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has applauded the team for their relentless effort in rooting out crime, thereby ensuring that perpetrators of crime are brought to book. “We are encouraged by the recovery of the suspected stolen items and the arrest of the suspects. We cannot allow a situation whereby a person operates a shop wherein stolen items are sold. That will have to be followed up and serious drastic steps taken and if need be, such a shop should be closed after further engagement with relevant stakeholders. South Africa is a country with laws and we can never allow any person to turn it into a banana republic under our watch. The public should now make sure they do not purchase stolen properties” said the General.