MAPAPILA – The Malamulele police in the Lowveld area have arrested three suspects following an aborted robbery at Mapapila, a settlement just outside Malamulele Township.

The incident took place on Sunday, August 25. According to Insp Moses Chauke, Communication Officer of the Malamulele Police Station, "three suspects got into Mr Daniel Mabaso's (50) home" and demanded money from Mabaso, who is living on a disability grant. The two went into the house, while the other suspect waited outside. It is also alleged that after Mabaso told them that he had no money they started to search the house and found R300, which they took.

As they were not satisfied with the amount they had found they went on demanding more from Mabaso. They allegedly also fired two shots, one into the roof and the other shot at a plastic container in the house. Instead of giving in to their demands, Mabaso did the unthinkable by taking a risk of hitting the robber with the firearm twice with his fists.

Baffled by the victim's courage, the robbers then fled, leaving one Baby Browning 6,35mm firearm with three unused bullets and one used bullet.

Three days after the incident, the Malamulele police arrested the three suspects, Amos Sambo (20), Joseph Muchavi (26) and Tinyiko Judas Mthombeni (18) from the Nwadzedzeku Settlement in the Giyani district. Last week they appeared in the Malamulele Regional Court in connection with the incident. The case was postponed for further investigations.