Police have arrested two police officials, believed to be linked to a gang of at least 15 men responsible for a spate of ATM bombings around the country. This brings the total number of arrests in connection with the gang of ATM bombers to five.
The police officers were arrested yesterday afternoon (Saturday, 23 July), just hours after police apprehended the alleged shooter of the 33-year-old police reservist, Constable Busisiwe Mehlwana that was gunned down during an ATM bombing at a filling station in Pimville, Soweto earlier this month.
The police officials are reportedly stationed in Soweto and Protea Glen respectively.
Gauteng Police Spokesman, Brigadier Neville Malila indicated they are following up several leads and they expect to make more arrests soon.
“We want to make it clear that corruption in the South African Police Service (SAPS) will not be tolerated. We are shocked that our own could be involved in criminal activity and we won’t hesitate to arrest them.
“The ATM bombers are usually heavily armed they continue to strike with military precision. We suspect that they (police officers) have been providing ammunition to the robbers and murderers,” said Malila.
A Gauteng police task team, under the command of Major-General Shadrack Sibiya, who heads up the Hawks in the province, arrested the alleged shooter in Soweto in the early hours of yesterday morning.
“We can confirm that the suspect was arrested at his home and that evidence was collected that will be sent for analysis,” said Malila.
The suspect featured on CCTV footage released by police and the anonymous tip-off service Crime Line recently.
Earlier in the week, two other gang members were arrested after receiving tip-offs from the public.
The gang struck in Vryheid this week and CCTV footage captured four of the men. They are still on the run.
Head of Crime Line, Yusuf Abramjee, indicated that scores of credible tip-offs have come through to the anonymous 32211 SMS service and to Crime Stop since the footage of the ATM bombers was made public.
“The arrests made so far have been as a direct result of tip-offs and good and quick police work,” he said. Abramjee said police were on the heels of the other ATM bombers and “it’s only a matter of time before they are arrested.
“I’m told that a few have already been positively identified,” he added.
Abramjee appealed to the public to continue passing on information to Crime Line’s 32211 SMS service or online at www.crimeline.co.za. Information can also be passed on to Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
The CCTV footage and pictures of the wanted criminals are available on the Crime Line website, Facebook page and YouTube.
Enquiries:
Brigadier Neville Malila
Gauteng SAPS Spokesperson
Cell: 082 411 4030
Marisa Oosthuizen
Crime Line Coordinator
Cell: 071 674 5089
Yusuf Abramjee
Head of Crime Line
Cell: 082 441 4203
ATM bombing gang: Five down
