2017
R1-20/FREE
The BEAT 4 August
Community newspaper
Morris Maluleka gallops into the sunset Story on Page 3
Armed members of the police and a traffic officer at the scene. Photo: TK Mashaba TK Mashaba
The recent arrest of two alleged armed robbers in downtown BelaBela is pointing towards a disturbing increase in the use of firearms in parts of the Waterberg. Just a week earlier Bela-Bela suburbia was forced to scurry for cover, against the backdrop of a gunfight between a local resident and alleged armed robbers, reportedly arriving from faraway Port Elizabeth. In the recent downtown drama, the main Chris Hani thoroughfare was brought to a halt when members of the local police cornered four armed suspects
traveling in a VW Golf 7, known in township lingua franca as the “Vrrr … phaaa!” Investigator Sergeant Frans Sekgobela said the foursome had allegedly sped off from Thabazimbi, after holding up a mobile phone outlet. He said the white getaway car had been reported hijacked in Pretoria. Two of the four suspects were arrested in connection with the illegal possession of firearms, after being traced to the popular Eja Monate complex on the outskirts of the town. Police are on a manhunt for two of their alleged accomplices, also feared to be armed. Meanwhile, two suspects, Hilton Marks and Mawanda Ngangaza, were expected to make a second appearance
On the inset is the picture of a 9mm pistol found at the scene. Photo: TK Mashaba
in the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court midweek, following the gunfight in Ludorf Street. In another firearm-related incident, a suspect believed to have been armed, was shot by pursuing police, and later died at the local hospital on 17 July. In Phagameng outside Modimolle,
two suspects were arrested in connection with stolen rifles on 9 July, which police believe could have been used in criminal activity. A clothing chain outlet was robbed also robbed on 14 July in Modimolle, by suspects armed with pistols.