EASTERN CAPE – After several intelligence driven operations the combined forces of Sterkspruit Crime Intelligence, Visible Policing, Detectives and Aliwal North LCRC together with the positive part played by the community in providing positive information, six suspects were successfully arrested after a murder and hijacking was reported at Sterkspruit.
It was on 26 September 2019 at about 21:00 when information was received that a victim, Mr Sphiwo Ntloko was taken forcefully from his residence with his vehicle Toyota Hilux by unknown suspects.
The suspects allegedly demanded money from the victim as the victim’s bankcard was used to withdraw money at an ATM in Sterkspruit.
The suspects demanded more money and the victim persuaded the suspects to contact family members to bring another bankcard to town.
The family members of the victim responded and on observing the suspicious activities at a specific bank in Sterkspruit, immediately alerted the police.
Members of Crime Intelligence and Visible Policing in Sterkspruit attended to the information.
The seven suspects observing the SAPS members in the area then forced the victim into his vehicle and sped off in the direction of Mokhesi A/A.
A search was conducted around Mokhesi A/A and at around 03:14 the victim and his vehicle were found abandoned the body of the victim was later recovered about 100 meters away from the vehicle.
Indication was that the deceased died of visible head injuries.
All role players were called to the crime scene. LCRC lifted finger prints from the vehicle and one positive identification was later made on the fingerprints lifted.
Follow up collection at the bank on 27 September 2019 confirmed that several cash withdrawals were made from the deceased bank accounts.
Since the incident various information was received and the members were able to identify all the suspects.
A number of intelligence driven operations were conducted from the day of the incident up until 4 November 2019 to trace and arrest the suspects by Crime Intelligence, Visible Policing and the Detectives of Sterkspruit.
The first operation led the members to the Palmietfontein area where four of the suspects aged 32, 19, 23 and 20 were traced and arrested.
Follow up information indicated that the other suspects went to visit an initiation school and were on their way to the village of Ndingishe Admin Area.
An operation was conducted and one suspect aged 25 was arrested.
The next day an operation was conducted at NDINGISHE Admin Area where a 32-year-old suspect was searched and arrested.
On Monday the last suspect aged 26 was also arrested.
All the suspects remain in custody at Sterkspruit.
The Deputy Cluster Commander Col Mpho Rabela applauded the combined forces for their commitment and dedication and hours of sacrifice in order to arrest the suspects. Thank you to the community that supported the investigation with positive information.
Together the suspects felt the power of working together.
Source: South African Police Service