Criminals are feeling the heat as police in Nelson Mandela Bay close in on their criminal activities and clamp down on their devious actions.

Three alleged vehicle hijacking suspects were immediately arrested on Friday, 26 May 2023 when they allegedly robbed a jikeleza driver in New Brighton. It is alleged that at approximately 19:40, the complainant was driving in Norongo Street, New Brighton when an unknown man stopped him for a lift. Further down the road another two men stopped him again and also requested a lift. At the corners of Ntshekisa and Norongo Streets, one of the passengers took out a firearm and pointed it at the complainant. The complainant headed towards New Brighton Police station and as he attempted to turn into the gates at the station, he lost control and collided with a lamp pole. SAPS New Brighton members working in the community service centre on responding to the accident, found one suspect in the vehicle. The two other suspects fled on foot and were chased by the police members. One suspect was apprehended in Masangwana Street. A firearm was also recovered. The third suspect was arrested by SAPS New Brighton crime prevention members as he was hiding at a house in Funde Street.

All three suspects aged between 19 and 22 were detained on charges of carjacking. It was later established that the firearm was a gas pistol.

In another unrelated incident, on Saturday 27 May 2023 at approximately 00:01, Nelson Mandela District Crime Combatting unit were patrolling in Addo Road in Markman and while at a petrol station they noticed a suspect wanted for a murder committed in November 2022 in Motherwell. The suspect was in a grey VW Polo. As police approached the vehicle, the suspect attempted to drive into the member and collided with the back of the SAPS vehicle. Two warning shots were fired at the tyres, causing the vehicle to collide into a petrol pump. The suspect (30) was arrested on charges of attempted murder, reckless or negligent driving, malicious damage to property and for the murder case reported in November 2022.

A 30-year-old female suspect was also arrested in Kwanobuhle for the fatal stabbing of her boyfriend. It is alleged that on Saturday 27 May 2023 at approximately 12:30 at Kiva Street, Kwanobuhle, the deceased and his girlfriend were fighting. The female suspect stabbed the deceased Lonwabo Nyike (38) once in the chest. A case of murder was opened and the suspect was arrested

All the arrested suspects will appear in the respective magistrate courts during the week.

Source: South African Police Service