ROSENDAL – The Rosendal police have successfully apprehended three suspects from Matwabeng near Senekal, following a business robbery at a local shop owned by a foreign national. A 9mm pistol with filed-off serial numbers was also seized during the operation.

According to South African Police Service, the incident occurred on November 25, 2023. The police, while on patrol, received a report of a robbery at a Tucks shop in the Mautse location. The robbery took place around 07:30, shortly after the shop opened for the day. Two male suspects entered the shop, with one closing the door from the inside and the other brandishing a black pistol at the shop owner. Meanwhile, a third accomplice collected an undisclosed amount of cash, including coins and cigarette cartons. The trio then fled the scene in a white vehicle, heading towards another section of the township. The shop owner sustained minor injuries during the robbery.

The police responded quickly to the report and managed to arrest all three suspects. One was found hiding in a nearby mountain. Along with the suspects, the police also confiscated a vehicle and a 9mm Norinco pistol with its serial numbers filed off, as well as an undisclosed amount of cash.

The arrested suspects, aged between 24 and 35, are from Matwabeng near Senekal. They are scheduled to appear before the Ficksburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday, November 27, 2023. They face charges of business robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm.