Sunnyside police gear up to oppose bail of alleged serial offenders

2017-10-11 17:29

Alex Mitchley

SA police. (Duncan Alfreds, News24)

Pretoria - Sunnyside police are gearing up to oppose the bail application of three suspects who were arrested for burglary while they were out on bail for unrelated matters.

The suspects also have previous convictions against them.

"The battle to reduce and prevent serious and violent crimes in Sunnyside does not end in the streets. The local police plan to make their presence felt in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Friday," said Captain Daniel Mavimbela.

The suspects, aged 28, 30 and 38, were arrested after they were spotted by police officers on the premises of an unoccupied house in Sunnyside on September 27, 2017.

Police believe a burglary was imminent. "A Mazda Drifter, reportedly stolen in Mpumalanga during a burglary in September 2017, and two flat-screen TVs were among the properties that were allegedly found in the suspect's possession."

Mavimbela said two of the suspects were on bail on a separate charge of possession of a suspected stolen car, while the third suspect still has to answer to charges of hijacking and house robbery.

"Having cultivated a culture of running a background check on every suspect that we arrest, it came as no surprise when we discovered that each of the three suspects can be safely classified as recycled offenders," said Sunnyside police commander Brigadier Ramakamakama Kekana.

Jointly, the records of the suspects revealed previous jail sentences for theft, robbery and murder.

"We strongly believe that if the trio were to be released again on bail this Friday, the security and safety of our community will be in jeopardy.

"It is disturbing that almost every suspect that we arrest for serious and violent crimes locally, is either on bail, parole or is an ex-convict," said Kekana.

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