The SAPS Crime Intelligence received information about the most wanted ‘hammer’ gang members and instantly a counter gangsterism operation was organized by Provincial Anti-Gang Unit led by Captain Freddie Deysel. The information was operationalized on 18 August 2023 at about 10:15 where a house in Gugulethu Section of Thabong was approached. Three undocumented persons and a South African male aged between 29 to 39 were found with 4,2 kg gold bearing material, cash that amounts to R523-80 and two hammers.

The suspects will be profiled to establish any linkages to other outstanding cases of business burglaries that took place in Thabong with the same modus operandi. In the business burglaries the walls of tuck shops were hit with hammers to gain entrance and to rob tuck shop owners of valuables, groceries and cash.

The suspects will appear in Welkom Magistrate Court on Monday, 21 August 2023.

The Acting District Commissioner of Lejweleputswa, Brigadier Mzondi Mojafi praised residents of Thabong for trusting the SAPS with this sensitive information which led to the arrests of the most wanted suspects. Crime Intelligence and Anti-Gang Unit members were also applauded to their quick response.

Source: South African Police Service