SASSA card thief arrested after car crash
A JMPD officer successfully chased an arrested a suspected SASSA card thief who crashed his VW Polo trying to escape.
A man in Dobsonville, Soweto, has been arrested after crashing his Volkswagen (VW) Polo during a pursuit by law enforcement. The perpetrator was found with suspected stolen SASSA cards.
The incident unfolded when an off-duty police officer intervened to assist a woman who had been robbed at an Engen garage in Roodepoort.
While attempting to apprehend the suspect responsible for the robbery, the off-duty officer witnessed the perpetrator fleeing the scene in a white VW Polo.
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department’s (JMPD) tactical response unit swiftly responded to the situation.
SUSPECT APPREHENDED
“The JMPD tactical response unit officers initiated a pursuit and successfully located the Volkswagen Polo,” JMPD spokesperson, Superintendent Xolani Fihla, told IOL.
“However, during the chase, the Polo’s driver lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a collision with a minibus taxi in Dobsonville. The officers promptly apprehended the driver.”
Upon searching the suspect and his vehicle, Fihla said that law enforcement discovered two SASSA cards in his possession.
#JMPD TRU saw an off duty officer assisting a member of the public at Engen garage Dobsonville trying to apprehend a male who stole bank cards. The male fled driving a VW Polo. A chase ensued, he lost control of the vehicle & collided with a taxi. He was arrested. Cards recovered pic.twitter.com/sXz8jT5Xzj
— Jo'burg Metro Police Department – JMPD (@JoburgMPD) March 6, 2024
The suspect was unable to provide a reasonable explanation for having these cards.
Superintendent Fihla explained that the off-duty JMPD officer returned to the scene of the robbery to obtain a statement from the complainant, but she had already left the scene.
“The male suspect was subsequently arrested and detained at Dobsonville SAPS. He was charged with the possession of suspected stolen goods and reckless and negligent driving,” Fihla added.
MARCH 2024 SASSA PAYMENTS: CHILDREN’S GRANTS CAN BE COLLECTED
In related news, the South African Social Security Agency has confirmed its March 2024 payment schedule. Those eligible are able to collect as follows:
- Older Person’s or Pensioners Grants: Tuesday, 5 March 2024
- Disability Grants: Wednesday, 6 March 2024
- Children’s and all other grants: Thursday, 7 March 2024