WHITE RIVER – Two suspects appeared in the local Magistrate’s Court in connection with a series of housebreakings, robberies and burglaries, attempted murder and the possession of suspected stolen property.
The suspects, Mr Thabo Mnyambo (27) and Tonic Ngomane (32), briefly appeared on the said charges on February 28. Their bail application was postponed to March 7.
Their arrest came after the local police adhered to the call of “Operation Bopha”, initiated by the SAPS head office, and followed up on information about a house robbery which happened in the Heidelberg Valley near the town where a white Opel Corsa, iPad and other items were stolen.
According to Brig Selvy Mohlala, information led them to a certain house in Mahushu Trust near Hazyview, where one of suspects was found asleep. An iPad and other suspected stolen items as well as tools normally used in break-ins were found in the house. Mnyambo was then apprehended.
Mohlala added that while police were busy interrogating the suspect, a vehicle that fitted the description of the stolen one, approached and the occupants fired shots at the officers who then retaliated.
“The driver of the vehicle sped off and nearly ran an officer over. The vehicle then came to a standstill a few metres from the scene and the suspects fled in the dark on foot,” he said.
Police then searched the car and found blood stains on the driver’s seat. Upon their return to the scene they came across an ambulance driving in the opposite direction.
When they enquired about its destination they learnt it was responding to a victim of a shooting. Two officers then accompanied the ambulance and found that the injured was Ngomane, who was part of the gang sought by the SAPS. He is under police guard in hospital.
Further investigation revealed that the suspects might had been involved in a series of housebreakings and robberies in White River.
“This is based on the fact that some of the recovered stolen items were identified by victims of some of these housebreakings,” said Mohlala.
The provincial commissioner, Lt Gen Thulani Ntobela, said criminals did not belong to the community but in jail. He further congratulated the members together with the community for working together.
A manhunt for the other suspects has ensued and anyone with information is urged to contact Lt Thokozani Zungu on 082-449-0334.
