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Former S. African national defence force member arrested for army base robbery

Xinhua, April 20, 2017 Adjust font size:

A former South African National Defence Force (SANDF) member was arrested on Thursday for an army base robbery that rocked the country earlier this month, police said.

The 40-year-old man was arrested in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said.

The man, whose name was being withheld pending further investigation, was among the men who robbed the Khayelitsha Military Base in Cape Town on April 14, the SAPS said.

In an intelligence-led operation, police pounced on the suspect at an identified location in Khayelitsha early this morning, the SAPS said.

"Our detectives are currently questioning the man," Captain FC van Wyk said.

During the armed robbery at 9 South African Infantry (SAI) base in Khayelitsha, five armed robbers overpowered guards and five soldiers, stealing a number of rifles and ammunition. The robbers reportedly forced the guards inside the base and overpowered another five soldiers in an armoury guard room.

Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Police commended the swift arrest of the man in a joint operation between the SAPS and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks.

"The speed with which the police and Hawks moved in apprehending the alleged perpetrators of these serious crimes is commendable. We hope this will send out a strong message that the country does not take kindly to any form of crime," said Committee Chairperson Francois Beukman.

Beukman called on community members to continue assisting police in the fight against crime by informing their nearest police station of any criminal activities taking place in their respective neighborhoods. Endit