In what is regarded as a major breakthrough, about 3 heavily armed suspected criminals were nailed before they could execute their intentions of robbing various financial institutions.
Following the death of Jordan Setlampoloka, who specialized in armed robberies, it is understood that the deceased was also linked to the South African criminal syndicate that was planning to rob various financial institutions that included Bokaa post office.
The suspects, it is said, tried to rob the post office on several occasions, especially month ends when the elderly receive their monthly old age pensions but their plans were foiled by the presence of the police.
The suspects are reported to have called off their intended raid after hearing that one of their number had been arrested and had died in police custody.
The trio, Sandile Toti, 30, from Magogwe, Hanamatsi Lekana, 43, from Mmiga, and both South African nationals, and a local, Edwin Setoke, 30, from Ramatlabama Village, appeared briefly before the Lobatse magistrate Court on illegal possession of arms and ammunition.
Speaking to Sunday Standard, the Station Commander of Ramatlabama Police Station, Superintendent Tshegofatso Mokumako, said that last Thursday, they arrested 3 heavily armed men who had entered Botswana illegally.
He said they received a tip off that suggested armed men were planning to rob various places, both in Gaborone and Ramatlabama areas, and quickly acted, mounting road blocks in and around Ramatlabama.
The police later arrested the men in Pitsane and confiscated pistols and live rounds.
“Even though the investigations are still at an initial stage, we suspect that some of them are still at large but we are leaving no stone unturned,” Mokumako said.
The suspects will appear before the Lobatse Magistrate Court again in 14 days’ time.
