Stolen bike recovered 15 days later

Four suspects finally had their day in court after a vicious robbery at Kilbarchan on July 19.

This follows an incident where the victim was accosted by a group of thugs at about 8pm.

According to police, the man was assaulted with a panga and forced into a room nearby.

“The suspects took cellphones, a motorbike and other items before fleeing the scene in their getaway vehicle,” read a statement issued by the KwaZulu-Natal SAPS Media Centre.

On August 3, oSizweni police received a tip-off regarding a stolen motorcycle in the area. After identifying the location where the motorcycle was seen, police searched the property and arrested four suspects linked to the robbery.

“A motor bike suspected to be taken during the robbery was seized from the suspects.”

In addition, police confiscated three cell phones, a TV and a DVD player.

The suspects, aged between 19 and 23, appeared before Newcastle Magistrates Court on robbery charges on Wednesday. The outcome of their first appearance in court was yet to be disclosed at the time of going to print.

“Police at oSizweni should be applauded for the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the stolen items. We would also like to thank the public for working together with the SAPS by providing valuable information that led to the recovery of stolen goods,” concluded the statement.

The community commended police on ensuring the thugs faced the full extent of the law, hoping the arrests would deter future offenders from trying their luck.