E1m heist suspects arrested in S. Africa

MBABANE - The four suspects in the E1 million Riverstone Mall heist are reported to have been arrested in South Africa where they are believed to have fled after committing the crime.

According to impeccable sources, they were arrested for the illegal possession of firearms, but were later released after making a court appearance.

The suspects, identified by the Royal Swaziland Police Services as Papa Stewart, Nathi Motsa, Ndoda Mkhwanazi and Aaron Musa ‘Makaroni’ Motsa allegedly committed the armed robbery on July 2, at Riverstone Mall in Manzini, where one security guard was shot and killed while another was seriously wounded during a shootout.

One of the robbers was also shot and injured in the leg, but managed to get away. The police reported that they were able to get away with about E1 million.

The robbers are now on the police’s most wanted list, and they are believed to be hiding in South Africa.

During a brief interview yesterday, Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Wendy Hleta, confirmed that they had received the report of the arrests in South Africa, but said she was not in a position to reveal further details as they were still investigating.

Members of the Royal Swaziland Police are said to have rushed to South Africa with the hope of returning with the suspects, only to find they had already been released.

Sources disclosed that the suspects were arrested in a motel after the police were alerted by staff that there were men who had booked in and were behaving suspiciously.

The South African police pounced on them and found illegal firearms in their rooms, the sources alleged.

They said it was not clear how they came to be released, but sources said they believed the suspects may have been released on bail after making court appearances on the illegal firearms charges.

Members of the public who may have information about their whereabouts can call officers Sam Mthembu on 7606 2316, Bizzah Dlamini on 7611 1943 or, alternatively, call the emergency number: 999.

Comments

This is suprising editor,didnt the Swazi police notify their South African counterparts about these suspects?
Jul 19, 2012, 8:49 AM, Thabani simelane (Simza1000@mxit.im)

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