Gauteng: Mamelodi duo linked to ‘Boko Haram’ remain in custody

Two people believed to be part of an armed gang known as ‘Boko Haram’ appeared before the Mamelodi magistrate’s court on Friday.

The two, a man and a woman both aged 37, appeared on charges of theft, trespassing and fraud, police said.

The pair have been remanded in custody pending their next court appearance on 11 March.

The infamous ‘Boko Haram’ group is accused of terrorising communities and business people in and around Mamelodi.

Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela said the arrest of the two suspects came after intensified investigations by a police multi-disciplinary team.

“An intelligence-led operation was launched on Wednesday where detectives, working closely with the combat and reaction team of Mamelodi, arrested the two suspects on accusations of illegal collection of monies from tenants at the Inkandla hostel in Mamelodi,” Mawela said.

Mawela said a prosecutorial-led investigation was underway towards building a watertight case.

“The possibility of more arrests cannot be ruled out as police anticipate that more victims could come forward,” he said.

Mawela has urged the Tshwane multi-disciplinary team to continue their good work.

“With this kind of collaboration, we are optimistic that several cases relating to the Boko Haram, some dating as far back as 2018, would be cracked and the suspects duly apprehended and brought to book.”

“Victims who withdrew their cases or previously refused to give statements or participate in identity parades, citing fear or intimidation by the Boko Haram, were encouraged to reconsider and reopen their cases so that the perpetrators get arrested and prosecuted,” Mawela said.