Long arm of the law nabs runaway robbery pair

Platinum Weekly newspaper | Rustenburg — Two suspects believed to be involved in a string of business and house robberies across the North West were arrested on Thursday, 4 December 2025, following coordinated police operations involving units in Zeerust, Phokeng and Rustenburg. The arrests come after several incidents reported in Zeerust, Madikwe, Boitekong and Rustenburg earlier this year, including a break-in at Autumn Leave Mall in Zeerust. According to police spokesperson lieutenant colonel Sam Tselanyane, four suspects allegedly gained forced entry into the mall in the early hours of Thursday morning and broke into two shops, stealing numerous cellular phones. Security personnel attempted to intervene but were unable to stop the suspects, who fled in a white Suzuki.

Police later tracked the vehicle to East End in Rustenburg. Two individuals — a 33-year-old Malawian man and his 29-year-old Mozambican girlfriend — were arrested at the location. A search of their rented room uncovered suspected stolen goods, including cellular phones, explosives, household items, bedding and a television set. The vehicle believed to have been used during the crimes was also seized.

The pair appeared in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 8 December 2025, facing charges relating to possession of suspected stolen goods and possession of explosives, as well as charges under section 49 of the Immigration Act. Police say further charges may be added as investigations continue, and they are looking into possible links to other cases.