Gang of eight arrested after storming police station to free cohorts

Eight men were arrested on Saturday 22 August after they stormed into Roodepan police station to demand the release of two men apprehended earlier in the day.

The men are all believed to be part of a criminal gang operating in and around the Northern Cape town.

This saga began with the arrest of two suspects wanted in connection with a case of theft. The South African Police Service (SAPS) tracked the men down, but they would not come quietly, and a violent altercation preceded the arrest.

Gang of eight storms police station, gets arrested

Later that same day, eight men stormed into the Roodepan police station demanding the two men be released, threatening officers and staff with knives.

After another scuffle SAPS members detained all eight of the attackers with one officer being injured during the fracas. The ten men aged between 17 and 41 remain in custody.

The Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Lieutenant General Risimati Peter Shivuri has strongly condemned the attack on police.

“Yesterday in the afternoon at about 16:30, police in Roodepan followed up on information about theft at Ivory Park,” SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Mohale Ramatseba. 

“Two suspects were located and they attacked police. They were arrested for assault on police, resisting arrest and possession of dangerous weapons.

Gang arrested and charged

The eight men who stormed the police station will appear alongside the two suspects arrested earlier on Saturday in the Galeshewe Magistrates court in the coming week.

“Eight people stormed Roodepan police station armed with knives and demanded the release of the two suspects. 

“Police managed to arrest the suspects for conspiring to assist and incite escape from lawful custody, assault on police, possession of dangerous weapons and obstructing police in the execution of their duties.

“One member sustained minor injuries. Six knives were confiscated from the suspects.

“The ten suspects aged between 17 and 41 are expected to appear before the Galeshewe Magistrates court soon.”

Alleged KZN cop killers in custody

In an unrealted case in KZN police are questioning eight suspects in the murder of an SAPS member.

“Eight suspects have been taken in for questioning after a 35-year-old Constable was shot on Tuesday at Ezakheni, Ladysmith,” Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo said.

“Constable Thandekile Promise Sikhakhane was on her way to work when she gave a lift to two females from Ladysmith to Ezakheni Township.

“She drove pass Ezakheni police station where she was working to drop off the two females.

“Upon dropping of the first female they were allegedly approached by three suspects who fired several shots fatally wounding her.

“The suspects made off with her service pistol and she was declared dead at the scene.

“On Friday the Newcastle Serious Organised Crime unit working together with Crime Intelligence and Ladysmith Crime Prevention members conducted a joint operation after they received information about unlicensed firearms in B section Ezakheni.

“The team swooped on the suspects and upon searching a Z88 9mm pistol belonging to the late Constable Sikhakhane was recovered.

“The joint team proceeded to Ladysmith where another 9mm pistol suspected to be the murder weapon was also recovered.

“The firearm will be sent for ballistic testing to determine if it was used in Constable Sikhakhane’s murder and any other crimes in the country.”

Read: Arrests relating to gang that ‘terrorised’ businesses in Verulam