Belfast: Three suspects, aged between 30 and 42, were arrested following an attempted robbery incident that occurred in Belfast, Mpumalanga, on Friday night, 22 August 2025 around 22h00, thanks to members of the SAPS from the Anti Hijack Task Team in the province and Middelburg K9 Unit for this breakthrough.
According to South African Police Service, at approximately 22h00, a group of armed individuals who falsely identified themselves as police officers took advantage of a VW Polo that had stopped as the occupants needed to relieve themselves next to the road. The suspects held their victims at gunpoint and instructed the driver, aged 34, and the rest of the occupants to lie on the ground.
Fortunately, members of the Police were patrolling the area due to prior reports of robberies. They were tactically working on a mission to prevent similar robberies from recurring as directed by SAPS Operational Plans. Upon detecting something suspicious on the roadside, the vigilant members of the SAPS team swiftly approached and introduced themselves as Police Officers.
It was during this time that the suspects unexpectedly began firing shots at the members while attempting to flee in their vehicle, a white Datsun Go with Mpumalanga registration plates. One suspect fled on foot. A high-speed chase ensued, culminating in the suspects' vehicle crashing into a tree on Bhekumuzi Masango Drive. At the scene, the suspects were cornered, while the third one, a Police Detective aged 54 from Pienaar SAPS, was found deceased in the rear seat of the vehicle. It is suspected that he could have sustained injuries during the exchange of gunfire; however, that is subject to an investigation. Two firearms and ammunition were recovered at the scene and confiscated to form part of the investigation.
The suspect who fled on foot was also apprehended near the N4 Road towards Machadodorp. The suspects are facing various charges, including attempted car hijacking, robbery with a firearm, attempted murder, and illegal possession of firearms with ammunition. More charges could be added as the investigation continues. The suspects are expected to appear at the Belfast Magistrate's Court on Monday, 25 August 2025.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has been notified, and a full investigation is underway regarding this incident. A Police van, Toyota Hilux from Pienaar Detectives, was also recovered at a farm in Belfast near where the incident occurred. The state vehicle was used by the Detective member for standby duties, and police cannot rule out the possibility that the state vehicle could have been used without granted authority, though that part will be investigated as well.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, welcomed the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the firearms with ammunition while commending members for their bravery as they defended themselves when faced with an attack. "It is a shameful act when an individual sworn to uphold the law is found on the other side of it. As the SAPS, we distance ourselves from any criminality. It is either our members are with us against crime or consequences will follow for their criminal activities, as one cannot serve two masters. It is time they ship in or ship out," cautioned the General.