The intelligence driven operation by the Kroonstad police together with the Welkom Tactical Response Team (TRT) probing murder of a police official, has led to the arrest of the hitman on Thursday, 31 March in Kroonstad.
It is alleged that the 26-year-old gunned down a police official dead in Boksburg, Gauteng.
“The members of Kroonstad Highway Patrol have secured an arrest of a most wanted suspect on the N1 towards Ventersdorp,” said police spokesperson captain Malebo Khosana.
“Earlier on the same day at around 07h00, Sergeant Serame Malebo and Constable Simon Nteba were on duty conducting their normal stop and search duties on the N1.
“The members received intelligence driven information that there is a suspect who has been on the run and he is most wanted,” he added.
Khosana said the suspect was identified to be in a Quantum taxi travelling from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein.
“Fortunately, on the route after they had just passed Kroonstad heading towards Ventersburg, the taxi got a tyre puncture,” explained Khosana.
“The Kroonstad Highway Patrol members called members of Kroonstad and Welkom TRT for back-up.
“All the members reacted swiftly on time, searched the quantum and realized the description given matched with that of the suspect who was one of the passengers in the taxi,” he further detailed.
The alleged killer, aged 26-year-old has been arrested after being positively linked with a murder case.
“The suspect will be taken back to Reiger-Park SAPS where the initial case of murder was opened,” said Khosana.
The Provincial Commissioner of the Free State, Lieutenant General BB Motswenyane applauded all the role players in securing an arrest of most wanted suspect.
“It is with utmost gratification to also commend the role of community members in working positively with the members of the police in the fight against crime as crime does not only affect police officials, rather the whole community,” he said.
“If we stand together and continue to report any criminal activities done in our presence, then we are a step closer to securing a safe environment for all our communities members,” said General Motswenyane.
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