Johannesburg: In continuous efforts to eradicate illegal firearms and stabilize contact and violent crimes, an intelligence-driven operation by the Brits Trio Task Team and Makapanstad Detectives resulted in the arrest of three males in Block A, Maubane village on Wednesday, 25 June 2025.
According to South African Police Service, the suspects, who have reportedly been committing house and business robberies, were traced to a place in the village where they were apprehended. Two firearms, six rounds of ammunition, a cell phone, drill machine, clothes, and diapers were seized during the operation.
The accused appeared before the Temba Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 27 June 2025. They were remanded in custody until Friday, 11 July 2025, facing various charges. Dumisane Shabangu, aged 33, is charged with business robbery, unlawful possession of ammunition, and attack on a police officer. Kenneth Hlongwane, aged 25, faces charges of armed robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm. Tebogo Seodisa, aged 22, is also charged with armed robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Investigations into the matter are underway, and the possibility of linking the accused to more cases cannot be ruled out. The Acting Provincial Commissioner of North West, Major General Patrick Asaneng, expressed hope that the accused will not be released back into the community to continue with their criminal activities and reign of terror, and that they will be successfully prosecuted.