Police in Pretoria on Tuesday said they had arrested two suspects in connection with the fatal shooting of a university student at the weekend.
“The police’s swift response has led to the arrest of two suspects who allegedly robbed, shot and killed a university student in Hatfield, Pretoria in the early hours of Saturday (10 September 2022),” said a statement from the office of the Provincial Commissioner of the police in Gauteng.
The two suspects aged 33 and 38 appeared before Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 12 September 2022, facing charges of murder, armed robbery, and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
“It is alleged that the 23-year-old student was walking in Hatfield at approximately 02h00,” the statement said.
The deceased has since been identified as Thapelo Menwe an honours student at the University of Pretoria.
“‘He was then accosted by a suspect who shot at him and took his belongings before he jumped into the getaway vehicle, a white Toyota Corolla.
“The police were informed of the incident and responded swiftly. During routine patrols, the police noticed the car that matched the description of the getaway vehicle and stopped it.
“Two occupants were searched and found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and the deceased personal belongings.”
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has commended the police from Brooklyn Police Station for their prompt response which led to the arrest of suspects before they could leave the area.
He also thanked the community members and private security guards who alerted the police about the shooting incident.