Stained R100 led to arrests
A TAINTED R100 note led to the arrest of 10 people linked to the murder of East Rand policewoman Constable Fihliwe Bengeza during an ATM bombing two weeks ago
Police said yesterday that one of the men died after complaining of stomach cramps while he was taking them to several houses to point out his accomplices.
Police had also recovered firearms, ammunition and money during a morning blitz in Zondi and Jabulani in Soweto. The raid also netted a woman suspect.
Hawks spokesperson McIntosh Polela said police received information about the stained R100 note from someone in Yeoville.
The "very dangerous" suspects have already been linked to other violent crimes, including robberies at malls and ATM bombings.
Polela said SAPS members and Johannesburg metro police went to a house in Zondi and found a man in possession of an AK-47 and a pistol.
"The suspect took members to several addresses in Jabulani where more suspects were arrested and two more guns (a pistol and an R4 rifle) were recovered. The suspects were found in possession of stained bank notes.
"Police also found more evidence linking the suspects to mall robberies and ATM bombings. More importantly, some of the suspects have been linked to the killing of Constable Fihliwe Bengeza," Polela said.
Bengeza, 25, was shot once in the face while she and three colleagues responded to an ATM robbery. She had only been in the police force for two months.
Constable Sihle Mbatha, 27, was shot in the leg while her two colleagues escaped unharmed. The robbers escaped in a car with an undisclosed amount of money.
Polela said before the operation in Soweto was completed, the first suspect complained of "stomach cramps".
"An ambulance was called, but when paramedics arrived at the scene, they declared the suspect dead. An investigation will be conducted to ascertain what was wrong with this suspect," he said.
"The office of General Bheki Cele has applauded the arrests. General Cele also hopes that none of the suspects arrested today were out on bail. Cele said it is counterproductive to give career criminals multiple bails.
"These criminals know nothing other than terrorising law-abiding citizens of this country," Polela said.
JMPD's Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said police suspected that one of the pistols recovered belonged to a metro police officer.
"The make of the gun is similar to the ones we use. The serial number has been filed off. The ammunition looks the same as ours."
Bengeza, a single mother of an eight-year-old daughter was buried at Elspark cemetery on Saturday.
Cele told mourners that Bengeza's daughter would benefit from the police trust fund, which caters for children of police officers who died in the line of duty.