Four men broke into an Ethiopian national’s tuck shop in Isithama Section and fled with a cellphone, cash, cigarettes and airtime.
Constable Patricia Mgijima said on January 20 two of the suspects threatened the owner and his uncle with firearms while a third suspect had a hammer.
“They demanded cash. One of the suspects hit the victim with a hammer while he screamed for help.
“The suspects managed to grab the victim’s cellphone before taking cash, cigarettes and airtime,” said Const Mgijima.
Const Mgijima said the community heard the commotion and came to help.
The three suspects managed to escape in a white VW Polo. The fourth suspect couldn’t make it to the fleeing Polo and was left behind.
“The community caught him and started assaulting him before he was rescued by the police.”
He was arrested and detained at the Tembisa police cells.
Const Patricia Mgijima said in another incident, two suspects were found in possession of R6-million.
“On January 17, Constable Sbonelo Zwane and Constable Thulane Mbanjwa were patrolling their sector when they noticed a white Toyota Hilux.
“The SAPS members asked to search the two occupants and the car. They noticed a blue plastic bag during the search,” said Const Mgijima.
She said when SAPS members asked the occupants about the contents of the bag, they said it was money.
“The members took the occupants and their car to the police station where it was found that the plastic bag had an amount of about R6-million in cash. On asking one of the occupants, he said the money was withdrawn from a bank but there was no proof of any slips from the bank,” said Const Mgijima.
Const Mgijima said the money was handed over to a safekeeping facility until the inquiry by the Pretoria Commercial Branch has been finalised
