| Three suspects remanded in custody for attacking a police officer firearm recovered | |
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| Date Published | |
| 2025/08/08 | |
| Details | |
Media Statement
NELSPRUIT - The Police in Bushbuckridge, in collaboration with the Tactical Response Team (TRT) and a private security company, arrested three suspects yesterday, 07 August 2025. The suspects have been identified as Fumani Avoid Mashego (19), Surprise Khoza (25), and Promise Thandi Mashego (23). According to the report, on 28 July 2025, a police officer stationed at PSS Nelspruit was returning home from work using public transport, having left his vehicle parked in the Bushbuckridge CBD. At around 19:00, while walking toward his vehicle, he was accosted by two men who approached from behind, overpowered him, and fled with his service pistol loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition. A case of robbery was immediately opened at Bushbuckridge SAPS, and an intensive investigation was launched. On 07 August 2025, police and the private security company received a tip-off regarding the suspects’ whereabouts. The joint operation led to the arrest of two male suspects and one female suspect who was found in possession of the stolen firearm at her residence. The state-issued firearm was recovered, along with three rounds of ammunition. The three accused appeared in the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court today, 08 August 2025. They have been charged with robbery with aggravating circumstances, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The matter was postponed to 15 August 2025 for a formal bail application. The suspects have been remanded in custody. The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, commended the swift and coordinated response by the police and security partners. He also issued a stern warning that any attacks on police officers will be treated with the utmost seriousness and dealt with decisively. Ends
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