MBOMBELA - The police in Mpumalanga have launched a manhunt for robbers targeting funeral parlours in Nelspruit and surrounding areas. In all of these parlours, money was stolen. The most recent robbery took place in Kabokweni on Friday, July 3. According to the employees, they were approached by two men who apparently requested assistance with signing up for funeral policies. Whilst the administration staff were busy explaining the various policy options, the robbers produced firearms and pointed it at the employees. The personnel were locked in the storeroom after which the villains took the money before fleeing the scene.

According to information received from Brig Leonard Hlati, the first funeral parlour was robbed in Nelspruit CBD on June 30. Preliminary investigations suggested that two armed suspects attacked an administration clerk after entering the premises. Evidently, they demanded money while holding her at gunpoint. After they tied her up with cable ties, they fled the scene. The victim was eventually freed by security guards patrolling the business centre before notifying the police.

The second incident also took place in Nelspruit. On Wednesday, July 1, two armed suspects entered the premises of a funeral parlour while an administration clerk was assisting two clients. The suspects threatened them with firearms and proceeded to take money from the business as well as from one of the clients. Before fleeing the scene, the thieves locked the victims up in the back of the premises.  They managed to free themselves and police were summoned to the scene.

Lt Gen Mondli Zuma, has since requested that funeral parlour owners improve their security measures. He also urged the community to assist police in identifying these criminals.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects, is urged to contact Detective Col Lisa Sambo on 082-462-2748, or the Crime Stop number 08600-10111. A tip-off can also be forwarded to the MYSAPSAPP which can be downloaded to any smartphone. 

Editor: Anchen Coetzee
PR submitted by: Brig Leonard Hlati