Police have acted with remarkable speed, arresting five armed robbery suspects less than 12 hours after a brazen jewellery store heist at Gateway Shopping Centre in Durban.Authorities confirmed that nearly R2-million worth of stolen jewellery has been successfully recovered following an intensive overnight operation.
The robbery, which unfolded at approximately 4pm yesterday, left two security officials wounded after they were shot during the violent incident. Both victims are receiving medical treatment.
A coordinated effort by the SAPS Economic Infrastructure Task Team, Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit, and Provincial Tracing Task Team led to a major breakthrough. Three of the suspects were tracked to a hideout in Umlazi, south of Durban, where they were arrested without incident.
The remaining two suspects were intercepted while attempting to flee along the busy N2 highway, effectively closing all escape routes.Police say all five suspects are believed to be in their late twenties to early thirties. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional arrests.
The swift response has been widely praised as a significant victory in the fight against organised crime in KwaZulu-Natal.
Email: motshwari@onenews.co.za
