A 26-year-old male suspect was apprehended by the Belfast community in Calcutta Policing area after allegedly robbing a 76-year-old female pensioner at gunpoint during broad daylight on Sunday 15 October 2023 around 12:45.
According to information, the old woman and her husband were in the garage of their home. It is said that the wife reportedly bumped into a man armed with a firearm as she entered the house to prepare for church.
It was during this period when the senior citizen was allegedly robbed of a trunk containing an undisclosed amount of cash as well as a firearm belonging to her husband.
At that moment, the elderly lady screamed for help, which community members responded to in a short space of time, followed by a chase of the suspect who was later apprehended at his residence.
Police were called to the scene and the suspect was arrested and is currently in hospital under police guard after reportedly sustaining some injuries during the time he was apprehended by the community.
It is further reported that he was caught in possession of two firearms, one being robbed during the said house robbery meanwhile with regard to the other firearm, Police later established that it was reported stolen in the same area of Belfast earlier this month (October 2023). There were some ammunition recovered inside the house as well during his capture. Other items found in the house include a trunk with undisclosed amount of cash and it suspected to have been taken during the said robbery.
The suspect is expected to appear at the Mkhuhlu Magistrate’s Court soon.
The South African Police Service in Mpumalanga has welcomed the arrest of the suspect and thanked the community for their contribution. However the Police continue to urge the community to refrain from taking the law into their hands but encourage communities to continue to work collaboratively with the authorities.
