Operation Vala Konke in Nelson Mandela Bay clamp down on criminals during the weekend

GQEBERHA – Criminals in Nelson Mandela Bay are feeling the heat as the men and women in blue continue to be in their spaces, leaving no or little room to conduct their criminal activities. During the weekend several suspects were arrested on charges of attempted murder, robbery, business robbery and illegal possession of firearms.

On Saturday 28 January 2023 at approximately 14:00 a security guard was performing duties at the corners of Broad and Swartkops Street, North End when he noticed three unknown males jumping over the wall. The suspects who were armed with a firearm and knives, confronted the guard and tied him up. They fled with the cell phone, security company jacket and hand radio. Later, that same evening at about 22:00, SAPS Mount Road members followed up on information regarding the robbery and arrested one suspect (30) in Matthew Street, North End. The jacket and the hand radio was recovered. A second suspect was arrested at about 01:45 this morning.

In another unrelated business robbery on Thursday 26 January 2023 at approximately 01:20 in Apple Street, Jacksonville, the complainant was sleeping in the shop when he heard a noise outside. On investigating, he noticed suspects attempting to force open the door of his business. Approximately six (6) suspects entered the shop, demanded money and assaulted the complainant and his assistant. The suspects fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash, three cell phones and packets of cigarettes. During the investigation SAPS Bethelsdorp detectives identified one suspect (26) and followed on information and on Saturday 28 January 2023 at approximately 11:00, he was arrested at his home in Jacksonville. More arrests are imminent.

A 38-year-old man was arrested on a charge of attempted murder following an incident on Saturday 28 January 2023 in Devon Road, Sherwood. It is alleged that at about 22:00, the complainant was inside his house when he was called to come outside by a known person. An argument broke out and during the altercation, the suspect fired a shot towards the complainant before driving away. No injuries were sustained. On Sunday 29 January 2023 at approximately 09: 45 SAPS Kabega Park detectives arrested the suspect at his residence in Sherwoord. A pistol and rifle were seized.

SAPS Walmer members also confiscated a firearm after pursuing a suspicious male on Saturday 28 January 2023 in Songololo Street, Walmer Location. At about 19:00 when the members stopped to question a man, he started running. While trying to evade an arrest, the man threw a bag before disappearing through an alleyway. The firearm was discovered in the bag. An enquiry docket was opened for further investigation.

Another illegal firearm was confiscated by SAPS Kamesh members when they arrested a 25-year-old male for possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition. It is alleged that on 28 January 2023 at about 22:10 while patrolling Arcacia Avenue, Rosedale they stopped a suspicious looking male who was walking with a bag. On searching him, a revolver with eight rounds was found in his possession.

All the arrested suspects will appear in the respective courts on Monday 30 January 2023.

Source: South African Police Service

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