Murders: cops make vital arrest

POLICE have made an arrest in a triple murder case, among other results this weekend.

Police spokesperson Novela Potelwa said officers linked to the Bishop Lavis crime prevention, operation combat and provincial organised crime units, made the arrest.

“Following a triple-murder case that occurred in June 2017, detectives worked around the clock in search of those who carried out the shootings. Three men aged 23, 33 and 36 were shot on June 18 in Bishop Lavis.

“Two died on the scene and one in hospital. As part of ongoing investigations into the incident, in September three suspects were arrested in connection with the murders.

“(On Wednesday) the team arrested a 35-year-old man believed to be the last outstanding suspect in the case.”

The suspect has been charged with murder and is expected in court soon. On Friday, police officers in Woodstock arrested a suspect for an unlicensed firearm and drugs.

Police spokesperson Andre Traut said: “At around 6am members of Woodstock police and the local neighbourhood watch conducted a search operation at the stables in Bromwell Street and arrested the 24-year-old suspect who was in possession of a hunting rifle, a 9mm pistol, six rounds of ammunition, 25 packets of tik and mandrax tablets.” The suspect will appear in court today.

In another incident yesterday, police arrested another suspect for the illegal possession of a firearm, Traut said. Members on patrol were alerted to three suspicious people in Sagola Street, Browns Farm in Philippi.

They fled the scene when they saw police. “Our efforts to prevent and combat serious crimes in the Nyanga area resulted in the arrest of a suspect for the illegal possession of a firearm during the early hours of (yesterday) morning. The 30-yearold suspect is in detention until his court appearance in Athlone next week.”