Four arrested after Witbank spaza looting as police probe teen’s killing

Arrests linked to looting

Police said the suspects three men and one woman aged between 22 and 52 were arrested on Thursday, July 9. Officers found them in possession of items believed to have been stolen during looting that took place on the evening of Wednesday, July 8.

The suspects have been charged with possession of suspected stolen property, police said.

Fatal shooting in Siyanqoba

The arrests come as investigators probe the shooting death of a 19-year-old man in Siyanqoba, Witbank, on the same night as the looting. Police said officers responding to the scene found the teenager with a gunshot wound and that he was declared dead at the scene.

According to police, the events unfolded while a group of people were looting a spaza shop owned by a foreign national. A sedan was seen driving past the scene, and its occupants reportedly opened fire.

“A group of community members were looting a spaza shop owned by a foreign national when a sedan was seen driving past the scene. The occupants of the vehicle allegedly fired shots randomly into the crowd.”

Ongoing operations and appeal for information

Police said officers in Witbank, supported by other law enforcement agencies, carried out operations targeting suspects linked to both the murder and the looting.

“The search for other suspects is ongoing,”

Police have appealed to anyone with information that could assist investigations in either the murder or looting cases to contact their nearest police station.