One dead, 10 arrested in clampdown

Police shot and killed one and arrested 10 suspects suspected to be responsible for some of the spiking and robbery incidents on the N1, N4 and N80.
“The Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Gauteng has commended a team of district detectives who worked together with detectives from SAPS Rietgat and FNB Security officials to arrest 11 suspects linked to road spiking incidents in the district. One of the suspects charged the police with a firearm, and the police shot at him. He was declared dead at the scene,” said police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili.
“On Saturday, 11 May 2024, the police received information on the whereabouts of suspects responsible for road spiking incidents on the N1, N4 and R80 in Tshwane district as well as robberies related to online shopping. The team went to a house in Winterveldt which was also used to operate an illegal shebeen. The team confronted 10 male suspects, as well as the woman running the shebeen.”
Muridili said five of the suspects, including the deceased, will be charged with several counts of rape and armed robbery. The woman will be charged with contravening the immigration act and operating an illegal shebeen. Investigations are underway to link the rest of the suspects with cases of robberies related to online shopping as well as road spiking incidents. The police seized a replica firearm and alcohol.
“I am pleased with the dedication and commitment shown by the team that has been working around the clock to ensure that they hunt down and arrest the suspects who have been terrorising the community. The arrest of these suspects will help us to close a lot of cases which are related to road spiking and online shopping,” said Lieutenant General Mthombeni.
The suspects appeared before various courts in Pretoria on Monday.

Elderly people attacked and robbed

Elderly people were attacked and robbed during yet another spiking incident on the N4 in the Brits area on Wednesday night.
According to Chris Degenaar of Afrique du Sud K9 Security Services who was on the scene, a group of elderly people was travelling in a Volkswagen Kombi on the N4 near De Wildt when the vehicle drove over spikes in the road.
Armed robbers pounced on the group when the vehicle stopped, and a young man who was accompanying them was hit over the head with a firearm.
“The victims were robbed of their handbags and personal belongings. Police from Brits, Mmakau, Aequitas Security and the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) attended the scene.”

Police work with role players to combat spikings

The North West police said on Friday that the police would like to assure motorists that they are working with external role players and partners, including private security companies, to prevent and combat spiking incidents and any other criminal activities that occur on the N4 road in the Brits area.
“As part of addressing the situation, various actions are being executed including regular deployments along the affected road. While the incidents are traumatic, motorists or victims are advised to report the incidents to the police as soon as possible. This can also be done by calling the SAPS Crime Stop number: 08600 10111,” said police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone.
“Meanwhile, and contrary to information circulating on social media, the N12 road is not a hotspot. At this stage, we have no record of incidents reported between Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp. Although proactive information exchange is key to warning motorists and other road users about their safety, individuals and groups are requested to avoid communicating unverified and misleading information,” Mokgwabone said.