By Kabelo Abel Mokgalabone
GA SEKORORO – Ten suspects including a 41-year- old police officer were nabbed in connection with the ATM bombing in the early hours of Wednesday, October 28 at Mahlakung Mall at Ga- Sekororo village.
The South African Police Service Provincial Tracking Team was called into action soon after an ATM bombing that took place.
According to the police statement, it is reported that three suspects were first arrested. The suspects are two women and one male. It was later reported that seven more suspects were nabbed.
The statement further explains that it is alleged that a group of about ten(10) suspects entered the premises and one of them pointed a security officer who was on duty with a firearm and covered him with a cloth on his face. The suspects then forced him to the ATMs and on arrival, they blasted two of the machines and dropped the safe.
They then proceeded to a cellphone store and blasted a drop safe too. The suspects managed to take an undisclosed amount of money before they fled the scene.
Police were notified and the Provincial Tracking Team joined by other operational teams including Polokwane Air-wing, Limpopo Highway Patrol Team, and the Provincial Investigation Unit supported by the private security of Wllkie K9 Unit, Hoedspruit farm watch, and Letaba Security started tracing the suspects.
Three suspects including two women were arrested at a house in Worcester village a few kilometers from the crime scene. During the arrest, police confiscated explosives believed to have been used during the blasts, two getaway vehicles (Mercedez Benz and Toyota Avanza), balaclavas, and hand gloves.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba has commended these Teams of members for their speedy reaction which led to the arrest of these criminals within a short space of time.
“We also applaud members of the community for their continuous support in fighting crime through the supply of quality and reliable information at all times,” concluded General Ledwaba.
The ten suspects are expected to appear before the Lenyenye Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of ATM bombing and Contravention of the explosives Act.
The Police investigations are continuing
