Cops score major bust in Diepsloot 

By Everson Luhanga

Seven suspects, all illegal Zimbabweans, believed to be part of a gang that is terrorising the Diepsloot community were arrested by the police on Wednesday.

They were arrested at a hideout in Kaalfontein in the Ivory Park policing area.

Gauteng provincial police spokesperson Colonel Noxolo Kweza said the police’s Trio task team received information about where the suspects were and immediately mobilised station detectives, visible policing members from the station and Ivory Park Police Station as well as Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) undercover officers.

“The seven suspects were found in possession of two unlicensed firearms and ammunition. All the suspects, aged between 20 and 35, are illegal immigrants from Zimbabwe,” said Colonel Kweza.

Colonel Kweza said the suspects were later successfully linked with a case of house robbery that occurred in Extension 13 in February this year.

“The Trio task team believe that these suspects are the ones that have been terrorising the community of Diepsloot,” he said. 

Kweza said investigations are underway to link the suspects to several cases of murder, attempted murder and robberies including the shooting of a police officer on 28 December 2023 as well as a grade 12 learner from Diepsloot Combined School two days ago. 

Gauteng provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni praised the Trio task team for arresting the suspects.

The arrest of the suspects has, however, sparked a debate between the Gauteng SAPS and the city of Johannesburg’s member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for public safety Dr Mgcini Tshwaku. 

“It is imperative that the Provincial Police Commissioner ceases to falsely claim credit for the arrests of these seven criminal suspects,” said Tshwaku in a statement released on Wednesday by the office of the MMC.

“Let’s set the record straight: it was the diligent efforts and tireless dedication of the JMPD TRU unit that led to the crucial intelligence gathering and subsequent apprehension of these individuals.” 

Tshwaku said taking unwarranted credit undermines the hard work of those who deserve recognition and perpetuates a culture of dishonesty and deceit within law enforcement.

“Instead of basking in unearned glory, the Provincial Police Commissioner should demonstrate humility and integrity by acknowledging the contributions of the TRU undercover unit,” said the statement.

The suspects will appear before the Randburg Magistrate’s Court facing charges of house robbery, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and contravention of the Immigration Act.

Pictured above: The arrested suspects. 

Image source: Supplied