Police in Levubu said they are winning the war against crime in their area. This was after the arrest of allegedly dangerous suspects in the Tshakhuma area recently.

In one of their most recent successes, the police dealt crime a major blow when they arrested seven suspects believed to be behind a spate of armed robberies in Durban, Levubu, Thohoyandou and the Tiyani areas. They drove as a group in an expensive bakkie, but their clothing did not match their "wealth" and this made the community suspicious.

According to the police spokesperson in Vuwani, Insp Ntshengedzeni Makondelele, the breakthrough came about as a result of the cooperation between police and the general public, as a result of which patrolling police at the Tshakhuma area were notified about a suspected stolen motor vehicle. The vehicle was allegedly roaming the area in a suspicious way, when it was spotted by vigilant members of the public, who notified the police. When police arrived on the scene, the suspects tried to flee on foot but six of them were arrested and one escaped.

The suspects, all males, Khatutshelo Mathagu (23), Takalani Sithada (19), Shumani Makuya (18) ,Tshhilidzi Thavhakone (18), Thabelo Mabala (26) and Santos Jose Edward (27) from Tshakhuma and Angola, were found to be driving a Ford Ranger 2500 which is suspected to have been stolen. After circulating the details of the vehicle, it was ascertained that it was recently stolen from a Durban suburb.

The arrested suspects appeared in the Vuwani Magistrate’s Courts last Wednesday and were charged with several counts, ranging from theft to armed robbery. Their case was postponed to April 14. All the suspects were remanded in custody, pending further investigations.

Makondelele said the arrests send a strong warning to would-be robbers not to underestimate police in the Levubu area. Makondelele commended the public for the stance they have taken against crime. "We are ready for them, they will meet fire with fire. With the support and cooperation from our communities, crime can be beaten," he said. He said criminals will not have a place to hide "if we all stand up and say enough is enough."

The seventh suspect has since been arrested and will appear in court soon.