Eighteen ‘most wanted’ arrested in major KZN crime sweep
‘We hope that they will be linked to more crimes as it appeared that they were terrorising the community in the province. All recovered firearms will be sent for ballistic tests to establish if they were used in any other crimes,’ said Major General Langa.
KwaZulu-Natal police made a breakthrough when they arrested 18 most wanted suspects for serious crimes in the province. Crime intelligence driven operations yielded positive results when the members were conducting these operations from Friday, September 16, to September 17. They were linked to a string of serious crimes in the province. They will all appear in various Magistrate’s Courts on Monday.
Umzinyathi Cluster Crime Intelligence, Kranskop detectives and Maphumulo police embarked on a 12-hour operation in Maphumulo area tracing for their wanted suspects. Three most wanted suspects aged between 24 and 27 were traced and arrested last night at Maphumulo area for a number of serious crimes such as housebreakings, hijackings, stock theft and murders. These crimes were committed at Kranskop, Maphumulo and KwaDukuza areas. During their arrest, two of them were found in possession of two unlicensed pistols with ammunition. They will appear in the Kranskop Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
In another crime intelligence driven operation, KZN Provincial Tracking Team were following information about a wanted suspect for house robbery and hijacking which was reported at Empangeni area. The members went to Chesterville area outside Durban yesterday, 16 September where they saw a suspicious-looking vehicle with two occupants. The said vehicle was stopped at searched. Through investigation, the said vehicle which was a black Toyota Run X was hijacked at Empangeni area this month. Both suspects were arrested and charged for possession of a suspected stolen vehicle. One of the suspects was linked to at least six business robberies and house robberies which were committed at Cato Manor, Montclair, Wentworth, Emanguzi and Mayville area. It also appeared that there were four other business robbery cases and possession of unlicensed firearm cases which are still pending at court. The same suspect was positively linked to other robberies at some petrol stations and supermarkets.
In yet another operation by Inanda Cluster trio task team, eight suspects were arrested after they were found in possession of a suspected stolen vehicles. Four stolen vehicles were found in their possession and were hijacked at Westiville and Greenwood Park area. Eight cellphones and one laptop were recovered during the operation.
The last operation was conducted by Umlazi Tactical Response Team where they arrested five suspects who were allegedly involved in a business robbery at Isipingo area yesterday. The members followed up information about the whereabouts of the suspects who robbed a hardware shop at Isipingo. A few hours later, the members spotted the suspects in their getaway vehicle and chased them. All five suspects were arrested and five unlicensed firearms were found. All arrested suspects were linked to the business robbery that was committed at Isipingo.
The KwaZulu-Natal acting provincial commissioner, Major General Bhekinkosi Langa praised the members for their dedication and commitment in ensuring that these criminals are brought to book to answer for the crimes they allegedly committed. ‘We hope that they will be linked to more crimes as it appeared that they were terrorising the community in the province. All recovered firearms will be sent for ballistic tests to establish if they were used in any other crimes,’ said Major General Langa.
