Mercedes-Benz housebreaking gang arrested, one killed

At least 13 serious alleged criminals were arrested and one killed in a successful weekend for the local fight against crime.

Collaboration between police and private security saw five people arrested for murder, seven for housebreaking and one for rape, with a further housebreaking suspect killed in a shoot-out.

Many of the arrests came within hours of the crimes being committed.

The first arrests were made last Friday, after the N2 near the KwaDukuza offramp became the site of a shoot-out between an alleged housebreaking gang and the provincial police and security services that had tracked them.

Known as the ‘Mercedes-Benz gang’, the group had allegedly been involved in housebreakings across the province.

After the grey Mercedes-Benz in question was spotted travelling towards KwaDukuza, Saps, Blue Security, Ithemba Security and the Fidelity Specialised Intervention Unit launched into action.

Three suspects were arrested while the third was killed in the shoot-out. The car, housebreaking tools, unlicensed guns and ammunition were seized.

On Sunday, four suspects – one a juvenile – were arrested for murder after a Shayamoya resident was killed, allegedly over a debt of just R200.

The man was allegedly beaten in front of a family member who was later able to identify the suspects to police.

“The diligent work of the members who worked swiftly to arrest the suspects within hours is an applaudable success,” said acting iLembe district commissioner, Brigadier Richard Nzama.

“The KwaDukuza Saps serious and violent crimes unit will be working around the clock to ensure justice prevails and the suspects receive a proper conviction for the horrendous crime they have committed.”

Later that same day, a 41-year-old taxi driver was arrested for rape and robbery after the 25-year-old victim was able to identify him.

The day prior, the victim was allegedly held at gunpoint and raped, before being robbed of cash and her handbag and dumped in Groutville.

After reporting the rape and identifying the man, the iLembe district family violence, crime protection and sexual offences unit tracked down the taxi and pulled it over on the R102.

The man was positively identified and found to be in possession of the stolen belongings.

“The excellent work done by the FCS Unit together with other role-players to remove a rapist off KwaDukuza’s streets will send out a strong message of zero tolerance to crimes committed against women and children,” said Nzama.

On Monday, another four people were arrested on suspicion of housebreaking in KwaDukuza, when they were pulled over by Umhlali cops on the N2 near Ballito.

Their vehicle, a gold Toyota Yaris, was being monitored and police responded as soon as it was spotted.

Gold and silver jewellery, three cellphones, a laptop, television, hairdryer and hair straightener were all found and seized.

The final arrest of the weekend happened on Monday night, when a tip-off led to the tracking of a wanted murder suspect in connection to a case from August last year.

Police were able to track the 19-year-old to Melville and arrested him in connection with the murder of a 19-year-old in Lindelani.
The victim was found dumped in a stream with 20 stab wounds.

One suspect, a 23-year-old, was arrested last year and they will soon appear together in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court.

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