Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) attached to the Welkom Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) have arrested two male suspects in connection with an alleged robbery.
The arrest followed an incident on Thursday, 21 May 2026, at approximately 20:30 near Tshepong Mine. According to police reports, a 27-year-old male victim was walking with friends when he was accosted by three African males. One suspect, armed with a panga, instructed the victim to hand over his cellphone. After the victim refused, the suspect forcefully searched him, ordered him to remove his clothes, and struck him with the panga on his body. The suspects then fled the scene with the victim’s belongings.
A case of robbery with a weapon other than a firearm was registered at Odendaalsrus for further investigation.
On Sunday, 24 May 2026, Welkom Crime Intelligence gathered information on the whereabouts of the alleged suspects. The information was operationalised by the Welkom AGU, leading them to Bazabaza Street in Kutlwanong, where two suspects were spotted and subsequently arrested. Police identified the two suspects as gang members affiliated with the Triple O Gang (Out Of Order).
Authorities seized dangerous weapons found in the possession of the suspects.
Both males, aged 23, are expected to appear before the Odendaalsrus Magistrate’s Court soon.
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