Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has welcomed the arrest of the suspects implicated in spiking and murder incidents on the N1 freeway.
The suspects are allegedly linked to several attacks on motorists and passengers alike in the province, especially on highways.
SUSPECTS LINKED TO SPIKING AND MURDER INCIDENTS ON N1 ARRESTED
According to police, several cases were reported where victims driving along the N1 freeway in the area of Bela Bela and other parts along the N1 had their vehicles damaged as a result of spiking, resulting in punctures. When their cars came to a standstill, these motorists would be attacked and robbed of their valuables. In another incident, a victim was shot and died on the scene.
Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said they received information that N1 robbers were arrested at SAPS Brits and Temba in a joint effort between Bela Bela Detectives and colleagues from the neighboring North West and Gauteng.
Ledwaba said the robbers, after appearing in court at Temba, were brought to Bela Bela SAPS.
An identification parade was held on Thursday, 14 November, in which witnesses managed to identify the suspects as those who robbed them successfully.
The suspects were then arrested and charged with cases of armed robbery and murder, which happened in June and July 2024.
Four of the six suspects, Alberto Quinton Lucas, Khoza Khumalo, Tsakirai Wedzerai, and John Moyo, are facing armed robbery charges that happened in June 2024, Bela Bela. Khoza Khumalo, Brighton Zacheche, and John Moyo face an additional murder charge that occurred in July this year.
“The accused appeared in Bela Bela Magistrate Court on Friday, 15 November 2024, and their cases were postponed to 09 December 2024 for bail application,” Ledwaba said.
POLICCE ARREST 26 SUSPECTS
In June, Gauteng police apprehended 26 suspects linked to a surge in vehicle spiking incidents in Pretoria.
Gauteng police commissioner Tommy Mthombeni highlighted the areas most affected by these incidents, specifically the N1, N4, and R80 highways.
“We are troubled by the spiking incidents, especially in these key areas. Communities are significantly affected, and we have managed to arrest 26 suspects involved in various crimes,” Mthombeni stated.
DO YOU HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT THE ALLEGED PERPETRATORS BEHIND SPIKING INCIDENTS WILL PAY FOR THEIR CRIMES?
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Nokwanda Ncwane
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