The Bojanala Platinum Sub-District 2 Acting District Commissioner Brigadier Mamotsamai Ntoagae and her management team welcomed the sentencing of 38-year-old Mozambican nations, Rodgers Ngwambe. The convict, dubbed "Kanana Dam Robber" was jailed at the Bafokeng Magistrates Court in Tlhabane, to 15 years direct imprisonment for a spade of robberies that started January this year at a well-known dam near Kanana village outside Rustenburg.
The court was told that Ngwambe terrorised the community members who visited the dam for picnics or prayers by robbing them of their valuables with a firearm. The Rustenburg Police Tactical Response Team (TRT) was assigned to track and hunt down Rodgers. After a week of sleepless nights, the TRT members managed to arrest him in the same vicinity while he was ready to pounce on his next unsuspecting victims.
Upon his arrest, Ngwambe was found possessing an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. During the investigation, he then took the police to his accomplice's house, who is still at large, where a rifle, ammunition, clothes and other items of the victims were recovered. During the trial, Ngwambe could not be positively identified but was charged and sentenced for possession of an unlicensed 9mm semi-automatic pistol, possession of unlicensed 17x9mm unlicensed live ammunition, possession of unlicensed Hawa rifle, possession of stolen property and being an illegal immigrant in the Republic of South Africa.
Meanwhile, the South African Police Service (SAPS) is investigating four counts of attempted murder after a failed armed robbery at Yizo Yizo informal settlement in Tlhabane. It is alleged that on Wednesday evening, October 4, two armed suspects pretended to be customers at a local tuck shop. However, the owner had already closed and locked the burglar door, and they could not gain access inside the shop as they were already demanding cash.
In what appeared to be a failed attempt at armed robbery, they then shot randomly at patrons on the street as they fled on foot. Four victims with bullet wounds were taken to Tlhabane Health Centre for medical attention. The police are requesting the public to assist with any information that may assist in apprehending the suspects on 014 565 9154 or the Acting Detective Commander Captain Magano on 082 499 4773.
