Robbers strike in broad daylight

MOKOPANE - Two male suspects, aged 30 and 35, were arrested this afternoon (24 January) after a business man (41) was allegedly robbed of R40 000 amount of cash outside ABSA bank in Thabo Mbeki Street. Police are hunting for at least two more suspects connected to the incident. This follows several armed robberies in December targeting business people either banking or withdrawing money in Mokopane.

Mokopane police confirmed that the man was on his way to deposit the money into the bank when he robbed by two suspects outside the bank. The robbers fled the scene in a white BWM with a GP numberplate.

The Mahwelereng police was contacted and a manhunt ensued. The vehicle, which was reported stolen in Mmakau, was found abandoned on the side of the road between Mahwelereng and Ga-Madiba. Two men were arrested shortly after in Mshongoville and two 9mm pistols with nine live rounds of ammunition was found. Another 9mm pistol with 8 live rounds of ammunition were recovered from inside the BMW.

The one suspect hails from Seshego and the other from Mahwelereng and will appear in court shortly. They are charged with armed robbery and possession of an unlicenced firearms, ammunition and a stolen vehicle.

In December, the Lephalale community policing forum (CPF) in warned residents that it had received information that a group of armed men from Mokopane and Polokwane, was targeting people withdrawing cash.

At the time, Mokopane CPF chairman, Andy Goetsch, urged business owners with CCTV-cameras to point some of their cameras to the areas outside their shops. This way business owners could assist the police until we install CCTV-cameras for crime prevention purposes.
The police warn business owner to be vigilant when depositing or drawing cash at banks. Do not have set patterns and days for banking. If you are confronted by armed robbers, stay calm and make sure that you observe any details that could help the police identify them later.

The Mokopane police can be phoned on 079 951 5885 or at 015 409 1400.