…Four suspects arrested after dramatic community chase
…Two others fatally wounded during late-night police encounter
…Vehicles, cellphones and other stolen property recovered
BY SIPHOSETHU MABUZA
SIPHOFANENI – What began as a terrifying morning for a Siphofaneni family ended with a major police breakthrough after vigilant community members joined forces with law enforcement officers, leading to the arrest of four suspected armed robbers and the recovery of stolen property.
The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) has confirmed the arrest of four men aged 37, 31, 23 and 21 in connection with a violent armed robbery in which three people, including two elderly residents aged 79 and 75, were allegedly held hostage inside their home on August 27, 2026.
Two other suspects linked to the incident were later fatally wounded during an encounter with police at Mamisa after allegedly failing to comply with instructions to stop.
According to police, the ordeal began at around 8:30am when six men allegedly descended on a homestead in the Siphofaneni area.
At the time, two women aged 75 and 31 were reportedly inside the home.
Police said the suspects, who were allegedly armed with a pistol and knife, held the two women hostage while demanding valuables.
The situation became even more frightening when the 79-year-old homeowner arrived at the homestead while the robbery was still in progress.
Instead of being able to assist his family, he too was allegedly taken hostage.
The suspects are said to have demanded the elderly man’s bank cards before two members of the group left the homestead, apparently travelling to a nearby ATM.
Police said an unspecified amount of money was subsequently withdrawn from the victim’s account.
The suspects allegedly went on to ransack the home and escaped with a significant amount of property.
Among the items reported stolen were four cellphones – three Samsung devices and a Redmi – a Samsung tablet, sneakers and a television set.
The suspects also allegedly stole two vehicles belonging to the victims: a white Toyota GD6 and a silver-grey Toyota Vitz.
The vehicles were then allegedly used as getaway cars.
COMMUNITY MEMBERS RAISE ALARM
However, the suspects’ escape was disrupted after the Toyota GD6 was involved in an accident in the Phumlamcashi area.
It was at this point that alert community members noticed suspicious activity after occupants of the vehicle allegedly abandoned it and fled from the accident scene.
Rather than ignoring what they had witnessed, members of the community sprang into action.
They reportedly gave chase while simultaneously contacting the police.
Police officers responded to the call, resulting in three suspects being apprehended during the pursuit.
A fourth suspect initially managed to escape.
As officers were dealing with the accident and arrests, another armed robbery report was received.
Police said an assessment of information surrounding the two incidents revealed that they were connected.
This prompted officers to intensify their investigation and search for the remaining suspects.
At around 3pm, the fourth suspect was tracked down and arrested in the Maphobeni area.
The stolen Toyota Vitz was later recovered after being found abandoned at Mganyaneni.
Police also managed to recover some of the property allegedly stolen from the victims.
SEARCH CONTINUES INTO THE NIGHT
However, the operation did not end with the four arrests.
Investigators continued searching for the remaining two suspects, who were allegedly the men who had left the victims’ home to withdraw money using the stolen bank cards.
According to REPS, officers eventually encountered the two men at Mamisa at approximately 11:15pm.
Police said the suspects were ordered to stop but allegedly failed to comply.
Warning shots were reportedly fired during the encounter.
The two suspects were subsequently fatally wounded.
The police have not yet released further details surrounding the circumstances of the shooting, and investigations into the entire incident are continuing.
Authorities are also investigating whether the suspects could be connected to other armed robbery cases.
The arrests represent a significant breakthrough for Siphofaneni police, particularly following what investigators believe may have been a coordinated robbery involving several suspects, weapons, stolen vehicles and the use of victims’ bank cards.
The incident has also highlighted the role communities can play in assisting law enforcement agencies.
Had the Phumlamcashi residents ignored the suspicious behaviour following the vehicle accident, the suspects could potentially have escaped.
Instead, their decision to alert police and assist in tracking the fleeing suspects became a crucial turning point in the investigation.
The Royal Eswatini Police Service continues to encourage members of the public to report suspicious activities while avoiding actions that could unnecessarily place their lives in danger.
Investigations remain ongoing, with police now seeking to establish whether the alleged group had links to other armed robbery incidents committed in Siphofaneni or surrounding areas.
(Courtesy Pic)
