The detectives Capt. Soon Theron, sergeants Wynand Kruger, Malesela Kekana, Michael Dire Ramasimong and Samuel Mosieleng and detective constables Tshepiso Montsho, Andrew Phakedi, Nduduzo Dotshe and Thabo Kharejane were announced the best detective team during the Gauteng SAPS’s Excellence Awards.
The event happened in Tshwane on Friday.
The detectives were rewarded for the work they did in February, busting a cash-in-transit gang that robbed an armoured vehicle near Westonaria. They chased some of the robbers as they raced toward Carletonville until they got to a big house just around the corner of the 007 shopping centre in Geranium Street.
The dangerous criminals had been hiding in this rented house, under the neighbours’ noses, for some time. More of the gang members were later arrested in Krugersdorp. Ten of the robbers, one of whom is an SANDF member, were arrested. Five of the robbers in a BMW fired several shots at the detective’s bakkie with AK47s, shooting Dotshe in the foot.
Moments earlier, Theron and Kruger also had a close call when the same robbers sped past them, fleeing from the Geranium Street house after realising they were being cornered.
The case against the robbers who were arrested continues in court. Unfortunately, some of them are already out on bail. The Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Dorothy Mogale, could not provide more information by the time of print.
