POLOKWANE – Two men are expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of common robbery following their arrest for an incident in the CBD on Monday (March 27).

Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the men, aged 34 and 38, were identified after a video of the robbery was shared on social media.

The video, taken outside a butchery in President Paul Kruger Street, shows the victim handing his goods in for safe keeping before he is grabbed around the neck by one of the men.

The men, who are all seen wearing face masks to hide their identities, take the victim’s wallet and cellphone and search for other valuable goods on his person before throwing him to the ground and walk away.

Read more: WATCH: Brazen robbery in Polokwane shocks passersby

“Six suspects were caught on video robbing a Zimbabwean national of his belongings before fleeing the scene on foot. A tactical driven operation was immediately launched by the Polokwane Tracing Team and Crime Intelligence Unit once police were notified and the suspects were arrested in Mmotong, outside Seshego on Tuesday (March 28) and Wednesday (March 29),” his statement read.

Mojapelo said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects work under a syndicate called ‘Makgamasa’ and operate around Polokwane targeting foreign nationals.

“These suspects disguise as police officials and request legal documentations and passports from their potential targets or victims. Moreover, some of the victims are taken to remote places and robbed of valuable goods such as cellphones and money,” he said.

A manhunt for the remaining four suspects is currently underway and anyone who can identify the suspects is urged to contact the Polokwane branch commander Colonel Lenkie Mathebula on 082 628 3172, the crime stop number 08600 10111, the nearest police station or the MySAPSApp.