MABOPANE, Gauteng – Authorities have arrested two individuals in connection with an armed robbery at a local store in Mabopane, following a confrontation that escalated into a shootout with security personnel. The incident occurred on Thursday, February 5, 2026, and involved a group of five suspects who allegedly targeted the business establishment.
According to details from the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng, the robbery unfolded when the suspects entered the store and carried out the crime. Security guards at the scene engaged the group, leading to an exchange of gunfire. During this altercation, two of the suspects were subdued and taken into custody. The remaining three managed to escape initially, fleeing the area in a white Polo vehicle.
Law enforcement recovered the getaway vehicle shortly afterward, abandoned in nearby bushes within Mabopane. A search of the scene and the vehicle yielded three handguns, which are believed to have been used during the robbery and shootout. The SAPS has confirmed that these firearms were unlicensed, adding to the charges against the apprehended individuals.
The two arrested suspects sustained injuries during the incident and are currently receiving medical treatment while under police supervision. No reports indicate any harm to the security guards or other individuals present at the store. Specific details about the items taken during the robbery have not been disclosed by officials.
In response to the event, the SAPS has registered a case encompassing business robbery and the possession of unlicensed firearms. An active investigation is in progress to locate and apprehend the three fugitives who evaded capture. Authorities emphasize that the probe is ongoing, with efforts focused on gathering evidence and witness statements to build a comprehensive case.
The public has been encouraged to assist in the investigation by providing any relevant information. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or via the MySAPSApp. This appeal underscores the SAPS’s commitment to community involvement in combating crime in the region.
Incidents like this highlight ongoing challenges with armed robberies in Gauteng, where law enforcement continues to prioritize rapid response and suspect apprehension to ensure public safety. Further updates on the case are expected as the investigation develops.
Four Suspects Arrested Following Cash-in-Transit Heist on West Rand
Johannesburg – The South African Police Service has successfully apprehended four individuals linked to a cash-in-transit robbery that took place on Wednesday, 4 February 2026.
The incident occurred at approximately 16:40 along the R28 road, adjacent to Extension 11 in Mohlakeng, West Rand. According to police reports, the suspects were targeted in a swift tactical operation later that same day in Kagiso, also on the West Rand.
The arrests followed actionable intelligence gathered by police units. During the operation, officers recovered two vehicles – a Mercedes-Benz and a Toyota C-HR – along with two rifles, two magazines, ammunition, and additional items believed to be connected to the crime.
The operation demonstrated effective coordination among several specialised police units, including Crime Intelligence, the CIT Team, West Rand Tactical Response Team (TRT), Police Emergency Services (PES) Flexi, and the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Specialised Services.
All four suspects are expected to appear in the Randfontein Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 6 February 2026, where formal charges related to the cash-in-transit heist will be presented.
Police have not released further details about the suspects or the exact amount of cash targeted in the robbery, but the rapid response and recovery of evidence have been highlighted as key outcomes of the joint effort.
Authorities continue to urge members of the public with any information related to cash-in-transit crimes to come forward through the SAPS Crime Stop line or nearest police station.
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Jogger Injured After Being Struck by Vehicle on R102 in Ballito
BALLITO, KwaZulu-Natal – A male jogger was injured this morning (Thursday, February 5, 2026) when he was struck by a vehicle on the R102 near Ballito Compensation in Ballito.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) officers were dispatched to the scene following reports of the accident. On arrival, they found the injured man lying on the roadside. An initial assessment by Reaction Officers indicated that he had sustained multiple injuries, including a suspected fracture to his left leg.
According to reports at the scene, the collision occurred when a Toyota Tazz was attempting to overtake a truck and struck the jogger.
A Private Ambulance Service arrived shortly afterward, provided on-scene stabilization, and transported the patient to a nearby hospital for further medical treatment and evaluation.
Authorities have not released additional details about the incident, including the condition of the driver or the extent of any vehicle damage. The circumstances remain under investigation.
Attempted Shooting Targets Police Officer Named in Madlanga Commission Testimony
BOKSBURG – A police officer implicated during testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into criminality in the South African Police Service survived a targeted shooting attack in Van Dyk Park, Boksburg, on Thursday morning.
The incident took place shortly before 10:00 on Klapper Street, when three gunmen opened fire on the officer’s bakkie. Multiple shots struck the vehicle, but the officer, Viandre Pretorius, managed to escape the attack unharmed and fled the scene.
In a voice note shared shortly after the shooting, Pretorius can be heard urgently requesting help: “Klapper Street, Van Dyk Park. Come and assist me here. They shot my bakkie up. I don’t know if it’s a hit or something. I managed to get out.”
Pretorius was named by Witness D, Marius van der Merwe, during his testimony at the Madlanga Commission. Van der Merwe, who was later shot and killed outside his home in Brakpan, linked Pretorius and several other officers to the 2022 death of Emmanuel Mbhense.
According to van der Merwe’s evidence, Mbhense was abducted during an unauthorised operation in Brakpan. He was allegedly tortured, including being suffocated with a plastic bag placed over his head and secured around his neck. The officers allegedly present during the incident included Constable Zander Frits, Viandre Pretorius, Kershali Stolls, Aiden McKenzie, Jaco Hanekom, and Etienne van der Waal.
Van der Merwe testified that after Mbhense died, the group dumped his body in a lake near Germiston on the instructions of controversial Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department official Julius Mkhwanazi, in an effort to conceal evidence.
The attempted shooting of Pretorius comes after the murder of Marius van der Merwe, who was gunned down outside his Brakpan home following his appearance at the commission. The vehicle allegedly used in van der Merwe’s killing was later recovered in Alexandra.
The Madlanga Commission is investigating allegations of corruption, criminal syndicates, and misconduct involving members of the police service and related agencies. No arrests have been reported in connection with Thursday’s shooting, and police investigations remain ongoing. The incidents have raised serious concerns about the safety of witnesses and individuals linked to the commission’s proceedings.
