The Thembalethu South African Police Services made a breakthrough in a business robbery case with the arrest of five suspects who are scheduled to appear in the local court on Monday, 28 August 2023.
On Thursday, 24 August 2023 at about 18:20 members attached to the Thembalethu police and Garden Route District Crime Combatting team members swiftly responded to information on a robbery perpetrated at a local shop earlier in the day. The members operationalised the information and conducted a raid at Ikhozi Street, Zone 06 in Thembalethu. Upon arrival the members noticed five men fleeing in different directions, but the vigilance of the forces ensured that all of them were apprehended in close proximity to the premises. A search of the premises ensued which resulted in the discovery of a firearm and imitation firearm, one round of ammunition and an undisclosed amount of cash. The police confiscated the items and arrested five men aged between 25 and 40 on various charges.
The suspects remain in police custody. They are scheduled to make their first court appearance in the Thembalethu Magistrates’ court tomorrow on charges of possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Investigation into the business robbery is at an advanced stage and additional charges could be added to some of the suspects as the investigation unfolds.