Brits police made a breakthrough yesterday, when they arrested one of the most wanted suspects in the North West linked to several murder and robbery cases in the early hours of Sunday, 29 June 2014 at Nkaneng Informal Settlement, near Wonderkop in Marikana.
The arrest came after information was received from the community that the suspect (27) who was wanted for murder and robberies was at Nkaneng. On arrival of the police at the hideout, they came under fire from the suspect and a police officer was wounded. Police returned fire wounding the suspect who was arrested. The police official was admitted to hospital in Pretoria while the suspect was also admitted to hospital under police guard in Brits, but was later released and taken to police station for detention.
“We are proud of the diligence and commitment of our members that led to arrest of the suspect under difficult circumstances and wish the officer in hospital a speedy recovery. We also hope that the suspect makes a full recovery so that he faces the full might of the law”, said the Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo.
The suspect is expected to appear in Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court today for attempted murder and illegal possession of firearm. Investigation into the matter continues.
The incident occurred as police clamp down on the criminal elements in an operation dubbed Operation Platinum Belt aimed at stamping out criminality in the Platinum Belt of North West Province which saw police arrest several suspects for murder, robbery, assault and possession of unlicensed firearms with the recovery of a number of dangerous weapons including an R4 assault rifle, shotgun and pistols.