Ndudi Anyim
Two more suspected members of Boko Haram group have been arrested and arraigned for various criminal activities in Mamelodi, South Africa.
The arrest of the suspects follows an earlier arrest of two others indicted for the crime two weeks ago.
Security Watch Africa reports that the duo appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on charges of robbery, contravening of security act, and racketeering after business owners in and around Mamelodi alleged that they were forced to pay monies to the suspects in exchange for some kind of “protection” for themselves and their businesses.
According to the acting Police Commissioner of Gauteng, Major General Tommy Mthombeni: “ The two suspects were arrested on March 18, as the investigations into crimes committed by the notorious Boko Haram group continues; and through a prosecutorial-led investigation, Police were able to build a solid preliminary case on which the pair made their first appearance in court.
“ The case was postponed in court to April 12, for bail application, pending further investigation. “
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng previously assured victims, complainants that in order for Police to be able to effectively investigate and arrest the so-called Boko Haram members, the complainants would have to go through with the entire process of reporting a crime.
“ Complainants were urged to refrain from withdrawing reported cases, and encouraged to submit statements to the investigators and where necessary, participate in Identification Parades (ID) and other investigative processes “, Mthombeni said.
He reiterated this call, asking the communities of Mamelodi and surroundings to continue to work closely with the Police towards disrupting and ending the Boko Haram’s reign of terror.
” While we at the SAPS are encouraged by the responsiveness of the complainants that has led to the arrest of four suspects so far, we hope that those who were previously afraid are now encouraged to report their cases so that these criminals are apprehended and taken to task, ” he said.