Police make breakthrough in the murder of elderly motorist killed during smash and grab in Langa

POLICE have not ruled out arresting more suspects linked to the murder of a 64-year-old woman during a smash and grab incident along Jakes Gerwel Drive.

This after a joint effort between the SAPS and City law enforcement officials led to the arrest of a 33-year-old suspect expected to appear in the Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. 

The woman identified as Karin van Aardt and her husband from Bloemfontein were travelling to Vredenburg on Friday evening when suspects allegedly smashed the window of their vehicle and attempted to grab items inside.

She was stabbed during the scuffle and later certified dead in hospital where she was rushed to by her distraught husband.

In a statement on Wednesday, police spokesperson Novela Potelwa said integrated deployments worked around the clock in search of the perpetrators. 

“Armed with vital intelligence, the law enforcement officials pounced on the suspect in Langa. He was questioned by detectives who later charged him with murder and aggravated robbery. As the investigation unfolds, the arrest of more suspects is expected,” she said. 

She urged residents to provide information to police in efforts to prevent similar crime incidents from occurring and ensuring perpetrators of crime were brought to book.

“With the holiday season upon us, prompting increased activity on the roads and other public places, integrated deployments have been intensified at identified hotspots in accordance with the safer festive season operational plan,” she said. 

In another successful operation, SAPS officers with the help of their Metro counterparts, arrested four men and recovered stolen property, following a hijacking in Manenberg on Tuesday.

“With the assistance of Metro Police, the truck was recovered by Harare SAPS members in Endlovini, Khayelitsha without the goods. The search continued and another suspicious Hino truck was spotted. The information was pursued and the suspicious truck was closely monitored. At around 12:30pm, the truck offloaded the stolen goods at a wholesaler in Eersterivier. Members of Makhaza SAPS Hijacking Team together with the Metro police swooped in and arrested four Zimbabwean males and one Bangladeshi. The stolen goods with an estimated value of R150 000 were seized,” said police spokesperson Ndakhe Gwala.

Cape Times