The quick thinking of a neighbour in Rasimone Village on Sunday evening, 4 August 2024, led to the swift reaction by a security company in Phokeng.
The owner of a tavern and four customers were inside a tavern, when they were overpowered by three armed men, who initially pretended to be customers. The 48-year-old owner was shot on his hand by one of the suspects and also stabbed on the chest. The suspects allegedly grabbed the cash register, liquor, cellphones, and a sound system before fleeing the scene. The four customers were not injured during this incident. The owner of the tavern was taken to a local clinic where he was treated and discharged the same night.
In the meanwhile, a local security company, who reacted to the Neighbour’s call for help, allegedly rushed to the scene and a short while later spotted the suspects’ vehicle; a white Toyota bakkie at another tavern in Robega Village. When the trio that was allegedly in the process of robbing the second tavern, they started shooting when they saw the security vehicles, but security officers returned fire. As a result, two suspects were fatally wounded and the third suspect, who was wounded in his leg, fled from the scene.
Police confiscated liquor, cellphones, a cash register, and a sound system found in the back of the bakkie, suspected to have been robbed at the tavern in Rasimone Village. Initial investigations also found that the Toyota bakkie was hijacked during a business robbery the previous day, Saturday, 3 August 2024, in Luka Village.
Anyone with information that can assist the police in identifying the wounded suspect who fled from the scene is requested to call the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Thabiso Sefora on 060 987 5578 / 082 375 4184. South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop can be called on 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be shared via the MySAPS app from one’s smartphone.
The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, applauded the Security Company officials for their quick reaction that prevented another robbery. He said police cannot combat crime without the assistance of the community, who should be the eyes and ears of the police.
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