Breakthrough as Johannesburg northern suburbs’ suspected arsonist arrested
A variety of law enforcement role players came together to enforce the arrest of the much-sought-after man suspected of arson in the Johannesburg northern suburbs.
A multi-disciplinary team made a much-anticipated arrest of a suspect that has become known as ‘the arsonist’.
According to a statement shared by SAPS Provincial spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili, the Serious and Violent Crime (SVC) unit in Gauteng on October 11 at about 18:00, arrested Johannesburg’s most-wanted suspected arsonist linked to a murder, burglary residential and 25 counts of arson committed in Johannesburg northern suburbs in the past two years.
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“The SVC team operationalised information received from National Crime Intelligence and mobilised SAPS Johannesburg K9, Community Active Protection (CAP) Security and Fidelity Specialised Services for back-up. At about 18:00, the suspect was located walking on foot in Emmarentia and he was apprehended,” said Brigadier Muridili.
CAP added that the team seized a cellphone and knife from the suspect and arrested him with no shots fired and no injuries to report.
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She added that it is reported that during the incidents, the suspect would break in at affluent houses and after stealing property he would then set the houses alight.
In one of the incidents, an elderly man lost his life due to smoke inhalation as he was in the house when it was set alight. This was reported in the Gazette in an online article Houghton man dies after alleged arson and assault [ Published June 5].
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The Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela appreciated all the law-abiding citizens of Gauteng for their tip-offs following the publishing of the wanted suspect’s photo in early September.
“Thank you to those that took the time to call in and share valuable information that has now led to this arrest. It goes to show that with the community on our side, we can do more to fight crime.”
Mawela commended the team that effected the arrest for a job well done.
The suspect will appear in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on October 13.
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ALSO READ: Houghton man dies after alleged arson and assault
