| 2025/03/18 |
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Media Statement TSOMO – On 17 March 2025, Tsomo SAPS members arrested seven suspects aged between 24 and 36 for allegations of robbery with a weapon other than a firearm, arson, murder, kidnapping and rape. It is alleged that on 17 March 2025 at about 00:30 the shop owner and his assistant who is a cashier in the shop were inside the shop asleep when they heard the noise on the roof of the shop at Luthuli Administration Area, Ntilini Locality. At the same time, other voices were allegedly demanding entrance through the burglered main door until they ultimately managed to open and get inside the shop. Upon entering the shop, they allegedly tied both hands of the 45-year-old shop owner, poured diesel on him and set him alight. In the meantime, the suspects allegedly took turns in raping the shop assistant. Groceries were reportedly looted, the assistant was forced to provide the pin for the business cellphone to successfully effect a cash transfer. Upon hearing the voices of the community members, the suspects allegedly started to set the business alight and fled the scene on foot carrying the female victim to a household at Tsomo where the victim was ultimately rescued and taken to hospital for medical and emotional attention. The shop owner was taken to Butterworth hospital where he reportedly succumbed to burn wounds. Seven suspects were apprehended soon after the rescue of the victim and are to appear before Tsomo Magistrate’s Court as soon as preliminary investigations are finalised. The arrest of the 8th suspect who is at large is imminent. The District Commissioner Major General Rudolph Adolph is concerned about the series of such heinous crimes within a few hours between each other. On 16 March 2025 an incident where a son allegedly brutally murdered his father was reported within the same area. He urges SAPS members to leave no stone unturned but to make sure that the outstanding suspect is also brought to book. Ends
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