REPORTER

A POLICE K9 unit quickly responded to the armed robbery of a businessman (47) in the busy street of Madeira in Mthatha on Monday, February 9.

The man was robbed while driving at around 8.30am.

His vehicle was blocked by suspects who demanded his bag, containing money and cellphones. The suspects then fled the scene.

Police launched investigations and through cellphone tracking, they were directed to a homestead in North Crest where they found the vehicle involved in the robbery. The five suspects were arrested after hiding in the ceiling. Captain Welile Matyolo confirmed the recovery of the stolen bag containing cash, a cellphone and bank cards.

“Police also found two 9mm pistols, one licensed and the other with a filed-off serial number, both with ammunition. Further investigations revealed that the Toyota Hilux used during the robbery was linked to a Lingelihle CAS number from July 2024 for a carjacking case,” explained Matyolo.

Police OR Tambo district commissioner Major General Norman Modishana has applauded the swift response by police that led to the arrest of suspects. They will face charges of armed robbery, unlawful possession of an unlicensed firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of suspected stolen property, and possession of a suspected stolen vehicle.

On Tuesday, the suspects were scheduled to appear before the Mthatha Magistrates’ Court.