Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe says the arrest and conviction of dangerous suspects who terrorise communities will assist in restoring communities’ faith in police and will also encourage mass participation crime fighting initiatives.
This comes after the arrest of four Mozambican men namely; Thomas Mashaba, Lewis Mathe, Osvaldo Manyike and Petro Chambale who are allegedly linked to more than 30 crimes in and around Mbombela.
According to police, the four men aged between 23 and 36 are linked to crimes including house robberies, armed robberies and murder. One of the robberies they are allegedly to have been involved in took place at Bundu Estate near White River on January 23, 2015 where a 60 year old man, Mr Clive Anthony Bowers was fatally shot during a robbery in the deceased house.
Another related incident was that of the attack of a family of five at Botanical Garden in Nelspruit last year. According to information provided by SAPS, the family was casually walking when they were suddenly attacked by a group of men armed with bush knives and robbed them of their belongings.
Three of these men have appeared in White River Magistrate Court already and they were remanded in custody for a formal bail application on 23 February 2015. The MEC also applauded the Department of Justice for the conviction of Mpho Marweshi to 20 years imprisonment. The 27 year old man is facing charges of rape on a 30 year old woman in 2012.
“We need communities’ involvement in fighting crime and this can only happen if they have faith on our police forces. We must make our communities a no go area for criminals. Communities must come forward and provide information that will ensure that these arrested suspects are successfully convicted if found guilty,” says Shongwe.
He adds that the department and SAPS together with other law enforcement stakeholders will continue to conduct more operations that will focus in areas where there is more prevalence of crime.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4055
Cell: 082 678 1450
E-mail: emabuza@mpg.gov.za
