Umzinto detectives pin down criminals

A GANG of robbers, suspected hijackers and an alleged drug dealer and his ‘runner’ have been nabbed by hardworking Umzinto detectives.

Captain Siva ‘RP’ Pillay, the commander of the Umzinto SAPS Detective Service and his detectives carried out a covert raid in the Lindelani informal settlement in Umzinto.

Police spokesman, Captain Vincent Pandarum, said that intelligence was gathered that suspects in recent burglaries in the Umzinto area were from the settlement.

Premises burgled included a policeman’s house in Roseville, the Aryan Benevolent Home in Esperanza, the Zamani creche and a church.

“Police arrested two suspects and recovered thousands of rands worth of property including musical instruments, fridges, microwaves, computer equipment, LCD screens, a high pressure cleaner, AMC pots and a sewing machine,” he said.

Investigations led the team to Gologoto in Esperanza where a further three arrests and recoveries were made. The men were charged with housebreaking and theft.

Police also recovered a suspected stolen vehicle in Malangeni and arrested five suspects.

Three cellphones and various bank and credit cards belonging to the owner of the car – who was reportedly hijacked and robbed in King Williamstown – were also recovered from the suspects.

Sanele Khoza (22), Siyabonga Pollen Mlambo (22), Sizwe Eric Mnguni (25), Zithulele Goodman Mnguni (20) and Sithembile Lindokuhle Sibiya (21) appeared in the Umzinto Magistrates’ Court and were transferred to King Williamstown where they will stand trial for the hijacking and robbery of the motorist.

Lieutenant Vanitha Naicker of the Umzinto Detective Service was in command of a team of detectives which carried out a raid on the Msholozi informal settlement in Umzinto.

Cpt Pandarum said they pounced on an alleged drug dealer and his ‘runner’ who were  cashing up the day’s takings and seized more than R3 000 in cash and 127 straws of heroin.

Both men were arrested and further investigations led detectives to a house in Ranjith Road where one of the suspects lived. There they found ten plastic drums full of diesel.

The man was charged with being in possession of suspected stolen property while both were charged for dealing in drugs.

A total of 13 arrests were effected for offences including house robberies, house breakings and assaults.

The Port Shepstone Cluster Commander, Major General Thembi Ndlovu, was pleased with the efforts of the Umzinto SAPS Detective Service in fighting crime in the area.

“I urge them to continue with their excellent work so that the communities of Umzinto and surrounding areas will continue to have faith in the SAPS. We have a mandate to ensure their safety and security and remove criminals from society, so we have to do that to the best of our abilities,” said General Ndlovu.

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