Three men have been arrested in connection with the alleged armed robbery and kidnapping of a man who travelled from Springs to Winterveldt, north of Pretoria, to buy a vehicle advertised on Facebook Marketplace.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the victim reported travelling to Winterveldt on Thursday, 12 November, to buy a grey Suzuki Swift advertised for R20 000. He was allegedly robbed and kidnapped after arriving at the location.
SAPS said that because of the traumatic nature of the incident, the victim was unable to open a case that day and reported the matter to police later.
At about 2pm on Friday, members of the Online Task Team attached to Loate SAPS were conducting proactive patrols in Winterveldt when they received a complaint about the incident from the Client Service Centre.
The officers accompanied the victim to the location, where he identified a group of about five men sitting beside a tuck shop as the alleged perpetrators. Police arrested three suspects, aged 18 and 19. The other two fled on foot.
The suspects have been charged with armed robbery and kidnapping.
The investigation is ongoing, and detectives will also look into whether the men may be linked to similar incidents reported in the area.
Tshwane District Commissioner Major General Samuel Thine commended the officers for their swift response, professionalism and dedication in assisting the victim and making the arrests.
In a statement on Saturday, Thine cautioned the public to exercise extreme care when buying or selling goods through social media platforms and online marketplaces.
He urged people to verify sellers and advertisements, arrange meetings in safe public places, preferably at police stations and avoid attending alone or carrying large amounts of cash.
The public is also advised to tell family members or friends where they are going, avoid sharing unnecessary personal or banking information and be cautious of suspicious behaviour, unusually attractive offers or requests to meet in isolated locations.
SAPS urged anyone who suspects they are being targeted or feels unsafe during a transaction to prioritise their personal safety and seek police assistance. – SAnews.gov.za
