ONE SUSPECT NABBED FOR A SERIES OF BUSINESS ROBBERIES IN WATERVAL REMANDED IN CUSTODY

ONE SUSPECT NABBED FOR A SERIES OF BUSINESS ROBBERIES IN WATERVAL REMANDED IN CUSTODY

POLOKWANE: One suspect wss nabbed by Police in Waterval policing area under the Vhembe District following a series of business robberies that occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, 19 March 2026, at various villages was remanded in custody .

The suspect Malwandla Wesley Maswanganyi , 25 years of age was arrested for
business robbery incident that happened at Bungeni Basani village. He was
remanded in custody and will be back at court in Wednesday 2026/03/25 for formal bail application

Mr Maswanganyi “s arrest follows a massive search by police who launched a manhunt for suspects ,following a series of house robberies under Waterlval Policing area.

In the first incident at about 00:30, three unknown suspects allegedly broke into a supermarket at Tonic village, where they threatened the complainant with firearms and knives before robbing him of cash.

In a separate incident at about 01:00 at Basani Mtsetweni village, three armed suspects allegedly broke into a spaza shop, threatened the complainant and robbed him of cash, a cellphone, clothing items and a pair of shoes.

At about 01:30, another business robbery was reported at a Spaza Shop in Bungeni Basani village, where three suspects armed with firearms and knives allegedly broke into the premises and robbed the complainant of cash and airtime vouchers.

In the fourth incident at around 02:30 at a Tuck Shop in Bungeni Njakanjaka village along the R578 road, suspects allegedly gained entry by breaking through a wall. During the robbery, shots were fired, but no injuries were reported. The suspects robbed the complainant of cash, airtime vouchers, a cellphone and personal belongings before fleeing the scene.

In all incidents, the suspects are reported to have used similar methods of entry by breaking walls and targeting spaza shops.

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has applauded police for their hard work in pursuit of the suspects. “Our members will remain relentless in pursuit of these criminal elements. We call upon members of communities to work closely with our members so that these suspects can be traced and apprehended to face the full might of the law ” Concluded Lt General Hadebe .

Police investigations are continuing.