Several serious crime incidents occurred in the area in the last few weeks and has prompted the police to request that residents be more vigilant and report suspicious activity and persons.
The first incident involved a cash-in-transit vehicle which was robbed on the Plaston Road at around 14:30 on August 4.
According to WO Gugulethu Phiri of White River SAPS, guards were driving along the road after picking up their last load, when they heard gunshots.
A BMW X5 reportedly drove parallel to them and a Ford Ranger blocked the road. Eight suspects climbed out of the vehicles, fired more shots and instructed the driver to stop the car and open the back. The men then fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. No arrests have been made yet.
A second, similar incident with another cash-in-transit vehicle occurred on the same road, closer to Mbombela, later that afternoon. It was unclear whether the two incidents were linked.
A furniture store in town was robbed at gunpoint by four suspects on August 6. All the employees were instructed to lie down, their hands were tied and the suspects demanded cash. After they received the money, they fled the scene.
On the morning of August 9 a policeman was changing a flat tyre on his private vehicle at the side of the airport road.
A Volkswagen bakkie reportedly stopped nearby and the driver asked whether they could assist him.
The officer replied that he was fine and the other party reportedly fired shots at him. He was wounded and the suspects fled. A case of attempted murder was opened.
Residents and community members travelling in the Rocky Drift area are urged to report any suspicious-looking vehicles after a truck was hijacked in the early hours of August 11.
Suspects seemingly masquerading as police officers stopped the truck and requested the driver’s licence. As he was taking it out, one of the men pointed a firearm at him and pulled him out of the truck’s cab. He was stuffed in the boot of a Toyota Corolla and dumped in a bushy area near Badplaas. He was rescued by Elukwatini police officers. The case is being investigated.
A resident on a farm in the Curlews area was rushed to hospital after she had been assaulted by a burglar on August 11. The suspect reportedly smashed open the door to gain entry and demanded money from the woman (66). He then brutally assaulted her, stole valuable items and fled the scene on foot.
Anyone with information that could lead to his arrest, can contact WO Hendrik Grobler on 082-455-6591.
