The Provincial Commissioner in the Free State, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, has welcomed the swift arrest of two suspects believed to be linked to recent armed robberies at jewellery stores.
At approximately 23:00, on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, a joint police operation was conducted at the Vaal Plaza tollgate after a lookout was issued for a vehicle allegedly involved in an armed robbery earlier this week in Bloemfontein. Members of the Fezile Dabi TRIO Task Team, the District Organized Crime Combatting Unit (DOCC), Highway Patrol, and collaborating security companies intercepted the identified vehicle.
Upon being accosted, one of the suspects allegedly pointed a firearm at police officials, prompting a shootout. Both suspects, aged between 27 and 35, sustained injuries and were immediately treated on scene before being transported to hospital under police guard. No police officers were injured.
A search of the suspects’ vehicle led to the recovery of three firearms-two 9mm pistols and an AK-47 rifle-along with ammunition and jewellery believed to have been stolen during the recent robberies. The crime scene at Vaal Plaza was processed and the investigation continues to establish possible links to other incidents.
#fightingcrime #GunsOffTheStreets #TrioCrimes
