Domestic worker arrested in Gauteng in connection with house robbery
Gauteng police arrested a woman who allegedly conspired with five of her accomplices to commit a house robbery at her employers’ house.
According to the police's Captain Mavela Masondo, a case of house robbery was opened at Bramley police station after three women and two men stormed into a house in Sandhurst, Sandton, and allegedly ransacked the house in the presence of the domestic worker.
"A thorough investigation by the police led to the arrest of a female domestic worker, three other females and two males," says Masondo.
"The valuables that were stolen during the house robbery were found in possession of the suspects."
He says as police continue to prioritise investigation of gender-based violence and crimes committed against children and the elderly, police have this weekend arrested more than 200 suspects for crimes ranging from rape, sexual assault, murder and assault related to domestic violence.
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Masondo says a 45-year-old man was arrested for the alleged murder of an elderly couple aged 80 and 82 in Sophiatown on Saturday. It is alleged that the local security officers were on routine patrol when they noticed a suspect assaulting the female victim and ordered the suspect to stop. He then fled the scene by jumping over the wall. The security officer gave chase and apprehended the suspect who had been injured after shots were fired. Police were called to the scene and it was found that both victims have died. It is unknown at this stage if any other suspects were involved while the motive is suspected to be house robbery. The investigation is continuing.
Police also arrested more than 800 suspects over the weekend and recovered 12 unlicensed firearms. Suspects were arrested during routine and stop-and-search operations in various parts of the Province. The perpetrators were found to have committed serious and violent crimes such as murder, attempted murder, robbery, car hijacking, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, rape, fraud and theft.
Masondo says the discovery of most firearms came as a result of intelligence-driven operations. "Police believe these firearms could have been used during the commission of serious and violent crime in the province, pending the outcome of ballistic testing towards establishing linkage to previous crime," noted Masondo.
Over 560 suspects were arrested in Tshwane and Ekurhuleni by the integrated law enforcement agencies made up of SAPS, Metro Police Departments and Gauteng Traffic Police. These suspects were arrested during the roadblocks, raiding of illegal liquor outlets, tracing of wanted suspects as well as stop and search.
More joint intelligence-driven operations in Johannesburg and the West Rand Districts also yielded positive results where more than 276 suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from assault, robbery, possession of suspected stolen property, rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearm and possession of drugs.
Police management in the Province have noted with appreciation the involvement and assistance of private security companies in the fight against crime.
The arrested suspects will appear in various Magistrate Courts in due course.