By Doreen Mokgolo
Fearing for his life, one of two men who has allegedly been terrorising townships in the east of Ekurhuleni handed himself over to the police after his picture was circulated on various social media platforms on Wednesday.
The two suspects moved from one township to another in a white Nissan Almera in recent weeks, robbing residents of their cellphones and laptops either in the streets or in their homes.
On Wednesday, residents of KwaThema, Duduza and Tsakeni took a decision to hunt down the suspects after they robbed two families whose relatives had gathered to organise the funerals of their loved ones.
Speaking to Scrolla.Africa, pensioner Sonto Dlamini from KwaThema said mourners were sitting in a bedroom when armed men ordered them to move to the living room.
“The two suspects didn’t cover their faces or care that we would be able to identify them later. They were only interested in our cellphones,” she said.
“They ordered that we unlock them . . . one of the neighbours negotiated to keep her cellphone by offering the suspects R100, and they accepted it.”
Dlamini said the suspects threatened to kill them if they didn’t hand over their phones.
“All we want is for the suspects to be arrested for traumatising us when we are weak and vulnerable,” Dlamini said.
Duduza police spokesperson Sergeant Harry Manaka confirmed that a man was arrested on Thursday after handing himself over to the police.
“This is after his picture was circulated on social media platforms as one of the two suspects. While in the station one of the victims who was there to report her case immediately identified him as the suspect who had robbed her,” he said.
“The suspect is facing charges of armed robbery and will appear before the Heidelberg Magistrate’s Court.”
Manaka said the police are working with other stations on the matter and that dockets related to the case will be transferred to the Duduza police for further investigation.
Pictured above: Some of the robbery victims outside KwaThema police station.
Image source: Doreen Mokgolo
