Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit) – Two men accused of breaking into the home of the Mpumalanga Hawks’ head Major-General Nicholas Gerber have been arrested and stolen property recovered including bicycles and a laptop.
The burglary was carried out at the Mbombela residence in December last year, while the elite crime-fighting unit’s boss was away on holiday.
Major-General Nicholas Gerber noticed that his home had been broken into when he returned from holiday this month.
He reported the burglary to the police and they immediately launched an investigation.
Two suspects aged 32 and 36 were arrested by the Hawks this week after they were found in possession of the stolen items.
Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Sekgotodi said the suspects were charged with housebreaking, theft as well as possession of stolen property.
“The arrest followed after information was received during the investigation of a housebreaking and theft case whereby the residence of the Mpumalanga Hawks provincial head was broken into. Valuable and expensive property was stolen,” Captain Sekgotodi said.
“Further investigation led to the tracing of the vehicle used in the commission of the burglary.
“The 36-year-old owner of the vehicle was arrested. Further probe led to the arrest of the second suspect. All the stolen items were recovered.”
Major-General Gerber said: “I’m so humbled but extremely proud of the members of the Nelspruit Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit and Provincial Organised Crime Unit. This is teamwork and commitment.”
The arrested suspects will appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.