National police commissioner recognises Midrand SAPS members’ hard work
Lieutenant Colonel Thapelo Ignatius Molepo said they recovered firearms and a hijacked vehicle after the arrest of the suspects.
Three police officers from Midrand SAPS received certificates from the National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Fanie Masemola for putting their lives in the crossfire.
Warrant Officer Benji Nkatingi, Lieutenant Colonel Thapelo Ignatious Molepo and Sergeant Ndivhuwo Samuel Matumba also received monetary recognition after risking their lives when they intercepted a cellphone store robbery that was going to take place in Carlswald Lifestyle Shopping Centre in November 2017.
The trio were on their way to a roadblock on Old Pretoria Road when they were informed of the planned robbery.
Narrating the scenario, Lieutenant Colonel Molepo, who has since been transferred to Bramley SAPS, said the five suspects were coming from different areas from various townships in Pretoria.
Molepo said he then called off the roadblock so that they could go to Carswald and prevent the robbery. “I strategically placed my colleagues in different spots. And Warrant Officer Nkatingi was right at the shop and he was the first person who came into contact with the suspects. When the suspects entered the shop, Nkatingi was there and he fired shots as soon as they started to rob. He fired without any doubt and they eventually surrendered,” said Molepo.
The suspects were arrested at the scene and firearms were recovered and a hijacked vehicle. Molepo said when they were being profiled, they were on the wanted list of the Gauteng SAPS for cellphone robberies around the province. Since the arrest incidents of robbery of cellphone shops have reduced around Midrand and Gauteng. It shows that it was a scam or syndicate that was hitting cellphone stores in and around Gauteng province,” Molepo concluded.
Colonel Andre de Klerk congratulated the trio for putting their lives in danger while reporting on a call of duty. “Your relationship with colleagues ensured that you successfully arrested the suspects. Congratulations to you guys for ensuring that you prevented the robbery from taking place,” said de Klerk.
Colonel Hosea Mantji urged members to continue working hard and always strive to prevent any form of criminality from taking place in their presence.
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