Slew of busts in Nyanga

In a police crackdown in Nyanga, six suspects have been arrested for rape, theft, assault and illegal possession of a firearm in separate incidents.

Police spokesperson, Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana, said three suspects, aged between 21 and 25, were arrested for three different cases of rape which occurred in Browns Farm in Philippi, while other suspects were arrested for the possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition, murder and possession of a stolen vehicle.

She said one suspect, aged 22, was arrested by members of Operation Thunder for being in possession of an illegal firearm and three cellphones.

He was unable to give a satisfactory explanation for how he had obtained these.

She added: “Meanwhile, a 22-year-old man was also arrested after he assaulted a 33-year-old man with a blunt object, which led the victim succumbing to the injuries in Crossroads.

“The last suspect, a 35-year-old, was also arrested after members were tipped off about a suspect busy stripping a vehicle which had been reported stolen in Mitchells Plain. The members pounced on the suspect while he was busy and arrested him.”

Two suspects appeared in Wynberg Magistrate's Court on Thursday morning on rape charges and the remaining four suspects are expected to appear in the Athlone, Wynberg and Philippi magistrate's courts on charges of murder and illegal possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, rape and possession of a stolen vehicle.