News / National
Zimbabwean men arrested in connection with SABC live TV mugging
13 Mar 2015 at 15:03hrs | Views
There are unconfirmed reports that South African police have arrested two men in connection with the mugging of SABC news crew on live television.
The two men arrested are believed to be Zimbabwean nationals. They were arrested yesterday and police are still looking for one more suspect.
In total four men were arrested, two who were seen on TV. Two others linked to allegedly buying stolen goods. Other items also believed to be stolen were found in their possession.
SA police were are expected to make a major announcement regarding a breakthrough in the case today.
SABC's Contributing Editor Vuyo Mvoko, was preparing to do a live crossing from outside the hospital where the Zambian president has been hospitalised, when the two armed men approached him just a minute before he was due to go on air.
A team of police, reservists and metro officers swooped on the area in Milpark Hospital last night where they scoured a number of hideouts they believe criminals use after robbing their victims.
Authorities say one suspect was arrested but for an unrelated crime.
Police have offered a reward of R100,000 for information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of the SABC muggers, and say they're working to crack the case.
Gauteng Police Chief Lesetja Mothiba says no progress was made, relating to this case, during their overnight operation.
"From last night's operations we did not recover anything, even after quite a number of stop and searches."
He says his detectives are working hard in his office's war room to arrest at the two men.
Mothiba says they need as much information as possible.
"We want to thank our public for the information that is coming in. Our war room and detectives are busy analysing this information, and we want to thank the public for that."
HEFTY REWARD FOR HIGH PROFILED CASE
Despite criticism of a R100,000 reward issued by police for information, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) says there are several factors officials consider before making the decision.
The ISS says the high profile nature of the robbery may be one of the reasons behind the hefty reward, given that, footage of the mugging is already trending abroad.
The organistation's Johan Burger say the incident was also a serious crime.
"Once you have a situation where a crime is committed as serious as this where a firearm was involved, and it becomes publicised in the way that it was, then certainly it is regarded as high profile enough for the police to ask the assistance of the public."
The two men arrested are believed to be Zimbabwean nationals. They were arrested yesterday and police are still looking for one more suspect.
In total four men were arrested, two who were seen on TV. Two others linked to allegedly buying stolen goods. Other items also believed to be stolen were found in their possession.
SA police were are expected to make a major announcement regarding a breakthrough in the case today.
SABC's Contributing Editor Vuyo Mvoko, was preparing to do a live crossing from outside the hospital where the Zambian president has been hospitalised, when the two armed men approached him just a minute before he was due to go on air.
A team of police, reservists and metro officers swooped on the area in Milpark Hospital last night where they scoured a number of hideouts they believe criminals use after robbing their victims.
Authorities say one suspect was arrested but for an unrelated crime.
Police have offered a reward of R100,000 for information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of the SABC muggers, and say they're working to crack the case.
Gauteng Police Chief Lesetja Mothiba says no progress was made, relating to this case, during their overnight operation.
"From last night's operations we did not recover anything, even after quite a number of stop and searches."
He says his detectives are working hard in his office's war room to arrest at the two men.
Mothiba says they need as much information as possible.
"We want to thank our public for the information that is coming in. Our war room and detectives are busy analysing this information, and we want to thank the public for that."
HEFTY REWARD FOR HIGH PROFILED CASE
Despite criticism of a R100,000 reward issued by police for information, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) says there are several factors officials consider before making the decision.
The ISS says the high profile nature of the robbery may be one of the reasons behind the hefty reward, given that, footage of the mugging is already trending abroad.
The organistation's Johan Burger say the incident was also a serious crime.
"Once you have a situation where a crime is committed as serious as this where a firearm was involved, and it becomes publicised in the way that it was, then certainly it is regarded as high profile enough for the police to ask the assistance of the public."
Source - news
