Cullinan attack suspects remain behind bars as bail hearing looms
The suspects appeared in the Cullinan Magistrate’s Court after their arrest in Welbekend, following an intelligence-driven operation linked to the alleged attack.
Three men accused of carrying out a violent attack on a Rietfontein plot near Cullinan have been remanded in custody following their appearance in the Cullinan Magistrate’s Court.
The trio appeared in court on August 11, after being arrested on August 8.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the accused have been charged with robbery with aggravating circumstances and a kidnapping charge.
“The case was remanded to August 21 for a possible formal bail application,” said Mahanjana.
The suspects were arrested following a joint effort between SAPS and private security company Echo-1.
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the suspects allegedly broke into the victim’s home, assaulted him and fled with household items, cellphones, and an undisclosed amount of cash.
“Through the collaboration between the police and private security companies, the three suspects were traced and arrested in Welbekend,” said Nevhuhulwi.
According to Echo-1, the arrests followed an intelligence-driven operation after the security company received information on Friday night about a criminal group allegedly planning a crime in the Cullinan/Bronkhorstspruit area.
Echo-1 said a vehicle believed to have been used by the suspects was identified entering the area on Friday evening to drop them off.
“Our tactical units conducted observation throughout the night. In the early hours of the morning, the vehicle returned to collect the suspects and our members performed a tactical takedown in Welbekend, where three suspects were detained with suspected stolen property,” Echo-1 said.
The security company said officers initially had to determine where the crime had been committed by analysing the recovered property before making a breakthrough.
“Following the information gathered, our officers rushed to a farmhouse on the outskirts of Cullinan where they found the victim hog-tied on his bed and bleeding profusely. He had allegedly been beaten, stabbed and tortured for hours,” Echo-1 said.
Emergency medical services treated the victim at the scene before transporting him to hospital for further medical treatment.
Echo-1 said the attackers ransacked the house and stole the victim’s bakkie before fleeing.
ALSO READ: Three suspects arrested after farmer allegedly attacked and robbed in Cullinan
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok or WhatsApp Channel
