The Provincial Commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has hailed the well-coordinated operation that led to the arrest of a 26-year-old male suspect believed to be part of a gang responsible for robbing unsuspecting victims at hiking spots in Tzaneen.
The suspect was apprehended on Thursday afternoon, 16 November 2023 at approximately 16:00 in Tzaneen town, following a joint operation by multi-disciplinary team of members attached to Tzaneen, Polokwane, Mopani Task team and Modjadjiskloof VISPOL.
This after information was received about the suspect driving a rented motor vehicle around Nkowankowa. Upon realising that the police were on his trail, the suspect sped off and they gave chase until he was arrested in Tzaneen town.
During the arrest, he was found in possession of several stolen bank cards and identity documents. Preliminary investigations linked the suspect with an armed robbery case committed at hiking a spot in Tzaneen in July 2023.
Investigation is still underway and police cannot rule out the possibility of linking the suspect to other cases of robberies.
“We believe that the arrest of the suspect will assist in resolving some of the robbery cases where suspects are being sought by police. We extend our appreciation towards our communities for their continued support by providing the information we need. It is clear that we are winning the battle against crime,” said Lieutenant General Hadebe.
The suspect will appear before the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 20 November 2023 facing a charge of armed robbery.