A REPEAT offender was arrested at Winklespruit Beach recently after robbing two people.

Community Crime Prevention Organisation (CCPO) Amanzimtoti, committee member, George Snodey, said he was driving into Baggies Beach in Warner Beach when he was flagged down by an elderly man who claimed he had just been robbed.

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“He told me who had robbed him and which direction he had fled. I loaded the victim in my van and proceeded towards Winkle Beach in pursuit. I had already called for assistance on the CCPO radio and Isaac Dindi our supervisor and his crew waited in the Winkle Beach car park with me. As the suspect came off the beach into the car park, we grabbed him and arrested him,” said Snodey.

As they were busy restraining the suspect, another person arrived and claimed that the bag that the suspect was carrying was his, having been stolen earlier that day.

“This suspect has been a nuisance for a very long time and has been involved in a number of housebreaking incidents in the area. Both complainants were escorted to the Amanzimtoti Police Station where they opened cases. This suspect was supposed to be on parole and we are hoping we don’t see him for a very long time after this,” said Snodey.

He had been arrested and sentenced for stabbing Winklespruit resident, Andre van Rensburg in May 2018 after breaking into his home.

The suspect was released from prison in 2020 as part of about 19 000 prisoners who were released early by President Cyril Ramaphosa, to help curb the spread of Covid-19 and reduce overcrowding in prisons.

“This man has numerous previous cases and should be declared a habitual criminal now,” said Snodey.

The suspect was handed over to SAPS and has appeared in court facing charges of robbery. He was remanded in custody while the investigations continue.    

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