SEVEN SUSPECTS SWIFTLY ARRESTED AFTER ROBBERY AT ICE CREAM FACTORY IN POLOKWANE CBD, POLICE RECOVER FIREARMS AND STOLEN ITEMS

POLOKWANE – Police in Limpopo have successfully tracked down and arrested seven suspects linked to a business robbery that occurred at the Ice Cream Factory in the Polokwane CBD on Monday, 03 November 2025, at about 09:00. The intelligence-driven operation was executed within an hour after the incident, leading to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of four firearms with live ammunition, stolen goods, and a white Audi S3 used during the commission of the crime.

During the robbery, the armed suspects stormed into the factory, accosted employees, and robbed them of an undisclosed amount of cash, various items, and cellphones before fleeing the scene.

Acting on the tip-off, operational teams traced them to a safe house in the Zorra Section, Solomondale in the Sebayeng policing area near Mankweng.

The multidisciplinary team, comprising the Provincial Tracking Team, Provincial Investigation Unit, Capricorn District Detectives, Mankweng Task Team, Sebayeng Crime Prevention, and various private security partners, swiftly pounced on the suspects. Upon arrival, the suspects were found consuming alcohol. One suspect opened fire on police and managed to flee, while six male suspects aged between 28 and 52, all from Mamelodi in Gauteng Province, and a 34-year-old female homeowner were arrested.

Preliminary investigations confirmed that the recovered Audi S3 was used during the Polokwane robbery. Several stolen items were also recovered. The suspects are facing charges of business robbery, possession of illegal firearms and ammunition and possession of stolen goods. They are expected to appear before the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 05 November 2025. Further investigations are underway to link them to other business robberies committed in Limpopo, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga.

Acting Provincial Commissioner

of Police in Limpopo, Major General Jan Scheepers, commended the collaborative effort and precision displayed by all the operational teams involved.

“The swift tracking and arrest of these suspects demonstrate the SAPS’s unwavering commitment to dismantling organised criminal groups. We call upon the public to report suspicious behaviours to law enforcement authorities and isolate all those who team up with thugs from other provinces. Limpopo will never be a playground for criminals, we shall together with our communities guard it with the jealousy it deserves,” said Major General Scheepers.

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