POLICE RECOVER TWO RIFFLES AND ILLEGAL EXPLOSIVES FOLLOWING A SPEED CAR CHASE, ONE SUSPECT NABBED
POLOKWANE: The Acting Provincial Commissioner of police in Limpopo Major General Jan Scheepers has hailed the remarkable work of the SAPS members after the swift arrest of one suspect believed to be part of a gang responsible for serious and violent crimes in and around Maake policing precinct outside Tzaneen, in which two rifles and explosives are amongst items that were recovered during the arrest.
Preliminary investigation indicates that SAPS members were conducting patrol duties when they noticed a suspicious-looking Toyota bakkie next to a local filling station. As they approached the vehicle, the suspects drove off at a high speed and the members gave chase and the suspects were subsequently cornered next to Julesburg village where two suspects managed to evade the arrest by fleeing on foot. One suspect was apprehended and upon searching the vehicle, the following items were recovered;
*2× Riffles and 48 ammunition, 2×magazines, 1×black bag, 2× pair hand-woven, 3× balaclava,1×black Nokia, 1× crowbar,1×hammer, four ×Carmen capped fuses, two ×length of detonating cord, two × super 90 blasting cartridges, three×improvised(ammonium nitrate) ×Carmen capped fuses, two ×length of detonating cord, two × super 90 blasting cartridges, three× improvised(ammonium nitrate)
Explosives and Forensics units were immediately called to process the crime scene and the explosives and firearms were confiscated as exhibits.The getaway vehicle was also confiscated for further investigation.
The arrested suspect, Phuthuthu Mmola (33) has appeared before the Lenyenye Magistrate’s Court on Friday 28 April 2023 facing charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and possession of illegal explosives. He was remanded in custody until next week Friday 05 May while police investigation continues.
Meanwhile, police are still searching for the remaining suspects and appeal to anyone with information that can lead to their apprehension to contact the investigating officer Sergeant Maake on 079 696 4370 or crime stop number 0860010111.
