Some of Bay’s most wanted thugs nabbed

TWENTY-FIVE suspected thugs – some on the Bay’s most wanted list – were arrested in a series of operations over two days.

This was revealed yesterday following the operations involving more than 50 detectives from various police stations in the Motherwell cluster.

The operation aimed to curb a spike in burglaries and robberies.

The Motherwell cluster consists of the Motherwell, Kinklebos, Swartkops, Kamvelihle, KwaDwesi, New Brighton, Kwazakhele and also areas covered by the Paterson police department.

The team of detectives were targeting wanted criminals for crimes ranging from attempted murder, house and armed robbery, and hijackings.

Police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge said that between Sunday night and early yesterday several teams had been deployed to arrest suspected criminals, mostly for serious and violent crimes.

He said 67 houses were raided and searched during the operation.

During the raids two other people – not wanted – had been found in possession of a .38 special revolver.

Beetge said in the 48 hours, six house robberies had been reported – two in KwaDwesi and one each in New Brighton, Kwazakhele, Motherwell and Swartkops.

“From these six incidents, a total of five suspects were arrested, one firearm recovered and a suspected stolen vehicle confiscated,” he said.

In the majority of the robberies, the thugs gained entry into the homes late at night or in the early hours.

“The most common items sought by these criminals are flat-screen or highdefinition televisions, music centres and speakers, clothing and other personal valuable items like wallets and purses, bank cards, jewellery and cellphones,” Beetge said.

In one case, on Monday night, three armed men forced their way into the home of Mvuyisa Macala, 20, in Boplaas, Swartkops, at about 9pm.

“They assaulted and hit him with a panga on his head and then kidnapped him, locking him in the boot of their vehicle.

“Motherwell police on patrol spotted the vehicle in Mvundla Street in NU12, Motherwell, at about 10pm,” he said.

“They forced the Toyota Tazz off the road and found Macala in the boot.

“A shotgun and nine rounds of ammunition were also found inside the car.”

Ayanda Monakani, 31, Siyabulela Olayi, 23, and Cumani Makangela, 26, were arrested for house robbery, assault, kidnapping and the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

Beetge said the shotgun was linked to the robbery of a Fidelity Guard in the Walmer area in 2014.

Motherwell cluster commander MajorGeneral Dawie Rabie said the arrests came after a series of intensified operations, focusing mainly on robberies.

“We want to assure our community that we will take these violent criminals off the streets and take them to court, but our community needs to also take responsibility in assisting the police.”