Four suspects, aged between 29 and 32, were arrested yesterday, 21 June 2023, for possession of unlicensed firearms with ammunition, possession of suspected stolen properties as well as for a business robbery in Volkrust.

Their arrest stems from an incident in which Police in Volkrust received information about a silver BMW with four occupants that was traveling on the R543 Road between Wakkerstroom and Volksrust heading towards Volksrust direction. The information further alleged that the vehicle was involved in an armed robbery at Wakkerstroom the previous night. During that robbery, it is alleged that the shop owner as well as the customers were robbed of their belongings at gunpoint.

Whilst members were responding to the matter, they spotted the said vehicle that matched the description on R543 Road next to the entrance of Vukuzakhe location. The car was stopped and a search of the vehicle together with the occupants was then conducted. It was during this period when members recovered two unlicensed firearms, with ammunition. The firearms were seized for further investigation which implies that ballistic testing will be conducted to establish if the weapons were not used in the commission of crime previously hence more charges could possibly be added against the suspects.

Police also found various brands of cigarettes, cell phones, as well as an undisclosed amount of cash concealed in a plastic bag.

Preliminary investigations led the team to a certain premises where other items believed to have been hidden there. Upon further investigations, police were led to a field where machines used to generate airtime for various mobile networks were found.

The four suspects are expected to appear at the Volksrust District Court today facing the said charges. Police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges against the suspects as the investigation continues.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the arrest of the suspects and appreciated the information shared with the police. The General further applauded members for their response which led to the swift arrest of the suspects as well as the recovery of the firearms.

Source: South African Police Service