Multi-disciplinary team arrests 7 in Mataffin over stolen vehicle
Officers tracking a vehicle suspected to be bound for Mozambique uncovered stolen goods from another break-in, opening the door to further charges.
A multi-disciplinary team comprising the Ehlanzeni Anti-Hijacking Team, Provincial Tracking Team, Crime Intelligence and Divergent Ops Security Company recovered a suspected stolen motor vehicle in Lows Creek on October 14.
“At about 05:00, members of the Ehlanzeni Anti-Hijacking Team who were off duty received information about a house robbery that occurred in Brondal near White River, during which a beige Toyota Land Cruiser was stolen,” SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said.
The team was immediately mobilised to operationalise the information by tracking and tracing the said vehicle. A tip-off was then received that the vehicle was in the Lows Creek area and was suspected to be en route to the Mozambique border. A vehicle matching the description was later spotted in the bushes next to the R38.
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The team proceeded to the area and found the vehicle hidden in the bushes with no suspects in sight. The vehicle was taken to Lows Creek SAPS and booked in for further investigation.
Police arrest 7 in Mataffin
On Thursday, October 15, members followed up on intelligence-driven information, which led to the arrest of seven suspects aged between 29 and 52 in Mataffin.
The keys to the Land Cruiser and items belonging to the victim, which were stolen during the house robbery, were recovered.
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Officers link suspects to Nelspruit break-in
During the preliminary investigation, items belonging to another burglary case that occurred in Nelspruit in September were also recovered. The investigation continues to establish whether the suspects were involved in similar cases elsewhere, and SAPS cannot rule out adding more charges against them.
Among the seven suspects, six are Mozambican nationals and one is South African. The men are expected to appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court soon, facing charges of possession of suspected stolen property and house robbery.
