Polokwane – Seven men arrested in connection with the violent robbery at Hlaneki Mine, in which a security guard was fatally shot, are expected to appear before the Giyani Magistrate’s Court today, Thursday, 7 May 2026.
Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said during the arrest of the suspects aged between 24 and 44, police recovered unlicensed firearms, ammunition, and suspected stolen property.
The suspects have been linked to a robbery and murder that occurred on Friday, 24 April 2026, at Hlaneki Mine in Giyani, Mopani District, Limpopo.
During the attack, the suspects robbed the guards of a firearm and two cellular phones.
One of the security officers later succumbed to gunshot injuries sustained during the incident.
Police later found an abandoned bakkie with some of the stolen equipment and traced the 50-year-old owner and arrested him.
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Narrating events that led to the arrests of seven other suspects, Colonel Ledwaba said a multidisciplinary team comprising the Mopani Tracking Team, Highway Patrol, Mopani Infrastructure, and Mahosi Security acted on “intelligence” and executed a coordinated operation on Tuesday, 5 May 2026, at about 12h00.
“A silver Hyundai Staria linked to the incident was identified, monitored, and tactically intercepted along the R81 road opposite Kremetart in the Giyani Central Business District,” said Colonel Ledwaba.
“Upon searching the vehicle, police recovered four unlicensed firearms and 95 rounds of live ammunition, including 75 revolver rounds and 20 rounds of 9mm ammunition.”
Further investigations confirmed that two cellular phones recovered in the vehicle belonged to the security officers who were attacked during the Hlaneki Mine robbery.
Preliminary ballistic analysis has also linked two of the recovered firearms to cases reported in Giyani in April 2026 and in Welkom in August 2025.
“All seven suspects are facing charges of possession of unlicensed firearms, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of suspected stolen property, and illegal immigration,” said Colonel Ledwaba.
Six of the suspects are foreign nationals from Lesotho.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, commended the members for the breakthrough and collaborative efforts.
“This arrest marks a significant milestone in ensuring accountability for the brutal robbery,” said Lieutenant General Hadebe.
“The recovery of firearms and ammunition is critical in preventing further violent crimes and advancing our investigations into related cases.”
Investigations are ongoing, and additional charges, including murder and robbery, are expected to be added as the case progresses.
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