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Crime Reporter
EIGHT Zimbabweans, believed to be behind a syndicate committing armed robberies and hijacking trucks and delivery goods in and around Gauteng Province, have been arrested by the South African Police.

The suspects were arrested last week following a joint police operation by several units of the South African Police (SAPS).

According to SAPS website, seven of the suspects were arrested in Wynberg, Johannesburg, while the eighth was arrested later in City Deep, Johannesburg.

“During the arrest at a storage facility in Wynberg, the SAPS team from Crime Intelligence, the Gauteng Provincial Investigative Unit and detectives from the Moffat View detective service, arrested seven suspects aged between 25 and 35 years and recovered 1 230 tyres valued at R650 000,” SAPS said.

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Investigations revealed that the tyres were identified as those reported to have been of a truck hijacking incident reported in Putfontein on Gauteng’s East Rand and a business robbery that was reported at the Moffat View last month.

The tyres were identified by their lawful owner.

“Investigators are already hard at work, profiling these suspects’ possible links to a spate of other crimes. The eight, who are all Zimbabwean nationals, are expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court to face robbery, hijacking and possession of stolen property charges,” SAPS said.

SAPS National Commissioner, General Riah Phiyega was quoted saying, “Robbery, including hijacking, is a type of crime that affects our communities and businesses in a major way. We have put a plan in place to tackle the problem.

“While there is still a lot to be done, we can say that we are making inroads and we are very pleased with the progress.”

In May last year, four Zimbabweans were arrested for committing a spate of armed robberies in South Africa following a police raid.

At least 60 other people were also picked up for committing the same offences in the neighbouring country.

According to Limpopo police’s Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi, South African police arrested 64 people, including four Zimbabwean nationals wanted for two armed robberies.

The 64 suspected criminals were arrested in Polokwane during a raid in an operation dubbed “Operation Clean-up” at Greenside and surrounding areas.