GQEBERHA – Swift response to a tracker activation by SAPS Kwazakele members, led to the arrest of a 32-year-old suspect as well as the recovery of a stolen vehicle, a stolen firearm and stolen property late last night, 16 January 2023.

It is alleged that at about 23:50, the members were patrolling in the Kwazakele area when they received a tracker activation of a white Isuzu KB250 bakkie which was taken in a house robbery in Wells Estate.

Members immediately responded and as they were driving down Meke Street in Kwazakele, they spotted the bakkie standing in front of a house. A person was seen running away from the bakkie and threw an object on the roof of a shack.

The members chased after the suspect and apprehended him. The vehicle’s keys, a leather wallet with bank cards belonging to complainant and two cellphones were found in his possession.

A Colt.45 pistol was found on the roof. The firearm was reported stolen in Kubusidrift in May 2020. All the property that was taken in the house robbery was found in the bakkie and positively identified by the complainant.

It is alleged that at about 23:10, the 53-year-old complainant was asleep in his shack in Malahle Street in Wells estate when two men kicked opened the door and robbed him at gunpoint. The stolen items were loaded into his Isuzu bakkie and driven away.

The suspect is detained on charges of illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, house robbery and possession of suspected stolen property. He will appear in the Motherwell magistrate court on Wednesday, 18 January 2023.

Source: South African Police Service