Arrest made in hardware heist
The police have arrested one man in connection with an armed business burglary at the Patel Hardware store in Naas, Tonga, early on November 15.
KAMHLUSHWA – At least 20 men, several of them armed with rifles, 9mm firearms and an AK-47 stormed the store, allegedly bombing one of the cash machines and ransacking the shop of building equipment and machinery.
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The Tonga police spokesperson, Capt Magonseni Nkosi, said the suspects had shot over 30 rounds of ammunition into the shop. They also opened fire from inside at vehicles driving past. He said one of the vehicles was hit, however, the driver managed to flee uninjured and went to the police station to open a case of attempted murder.
As the shop had been closed at the time of the burglary, no one was injured. The police said they arrived at a property in KaMhlushwa early on November 24, after they had received information that some of the suspects were there.
The KaMhlushwa police spokesperson, Sgt Dan Mpila, said there were three suspects at the property, however, only one man was arrested; the other two managed to escape. He said the suspect was found in possession of cellphones, cash from the machine as well as equipment.
The suspect, Ernst Fakude (30), has since appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court. The remand date could not be confirmed at the time of going to press.
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