NELSPRUIT � Four men aged between 19 and 20 appeared at the Evander Magistrates’ Court today, on charges of carjacking and rape. The suspects were all arrested on Saturday, 14 June 2019, at Embalenhle during a mandatory police operation after the car they were using, was positively circulated and found to have been hijacked. While police were processing the paperwork of these suspects, a 27-year-old woman arrived at the station to report a case of rape. It was then that she positively pointed out the same men as the ones who had allegedly raped her earlier that evening. The victim was apparently fleeing from her abusive boyfriend when out of anxiety and fear she stopped the said vehicle for assistance, instead of assisting her the suspects then drove with her to a secluded area where they allegedly raped her.
The suspects were remanded in custody and will reappear at the same court for a formal bail application on Tuesday, 25 June 2019.
Police in Mpumalanga further arrested 79 suspects and seized two unlicensed firearms and ammunition during operations conducted across the province during the weekend. The suspects were arrested for various crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder, driving under the influence of alcohol, business robbery, possession of suspected stolen property, possession of drugs, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (assault GBH), concealment of birth, drinking in public as well as common assault.
The operations were carried out from Thursday 13 June to Sunday 16 June 2019. These arrests are aligned with the police’s quest of ensuring a safe and secure environment for all citizens of the country as well as removing bad elements that threaten the lives of others. Some suspects appeared yesterday in different courts around the province and others were issued fines.
The Provincial Commissioner of police in Mpumalanga Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma is thrilled with the sterling work by the members who are always available to fight crime, he urged them to continue removing bad elements from society.
Source: South African Police Service