A 40-year-old man, who was apprehended on the morning of Monday, 18 August 2025, around 10:30, linked to other serious and other violent criminal activities including a house robbery in Rhebhu locality, Gingqi Administrative Area in Port St Johns in July 2025. This was reported by the police, a man who is a tavern owner in Mpotshotsho locality and a shop owner was arrested in possession of a licensed firearm, two unlicensed firearms (a revolver and a homemade shotgun) stashed in different compartments of the bakkie.
The police report stated that the police received information following the robbery of a businessman (foreign national) near Gomolo locality, while in transit with his grocery stock.
According to the police spokesperson in the OR Tambo, Captain Welile Matyolo, the suspects managed to steal grocery stock before fleeing in their getaway vehicle. “Few hours later a team of police members spotted the suspicious vehicle traveling in the CBD. The bakkie with grocery stock was stopped, and the passenger immediately jumped out and fled on foot and the driver was unable to escape and was found in possession of licensed firearm and unlicensed firearms and ammunition,” said Matyolo. He was charged for robbery with aggravating circumstances.
It was also reported that an investigation was conducted, and from the house of the suspect, police seized two unlicensed firearms (a rifle and a shotgun) with several cell phones and flip flops. On circulating the two firearms, it transpired that they were stolen during a house robbery in Rhebhu where a 55-year-old woman was murdered and her husband escaped with injuries. Meanwhile Cpt Matyolo stressed that the man is expected to be charged for murder and house robbery and is expected to appear before Port St Johns Magistrate’s court soon.
