Police in Pretoria and crime prevention wardens rescued a man from an angry mob in Rietgat, Soshanguve, on Tuesday afternoon.

The man is suspected to have been involved in an earlier robbery of school girls at gunpoint.

According to police spokesperson Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk, the man had tried to rob three Matsemala high school learners.

“The community mobilised and apprehended the man after they heard the girls scream.”

Van Dyk says the man had pointed the firearm at the three girls demanding they give him their cellphones.

The suspect is also alleged to be connected to robberies that took place at MJ Mgidi Secondary School during voter’s registration weekend.

Van Dyk adds information reveals two males robbed voters, but one fled while the other was apprehended by residents.

“The community caught one suspect and handed him over to police when they arrived on the scene,” he explains.

Van Dyk says the suspect has been charged with armed robbery and will appear in court soon.

Members of SAPS together with the Crime Prevention Wardens arrested a suspect in Rietgat for robbery with a firearm following the robbery of 3 females. The suspect is alleged to be connected to robberies that took place at MJ Mgidi secondary during the voters registration weekend pic.twitter.com/REQUQS1zVp

— GP Department of Community Safety (@GP_CommSafety) November 21, 2023