JOHANNESBURG – Police at OR Tambo International Airport have arrested a 64-year-old man believed to be behind a series of armed robberies targeting travellers on the airport route.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the suspect was apprehended on Saturday following the robbery of three senior police officials from an African country who were travelling to the airport in an e-hailing vehicle.
The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon on the R24 near the Barbara off-ramp when four men in a silver Suzuki Swift pulled over the e-hailing vehicle. The men posed as police officers before robbing a police general and two other officers of money, watches and cellphones.
Police traced the vehicle within hours and arrested the suspect. The Suzuki Swift, believed to have been used numerous times in crimes on the airport route, has been impounded.
Investigations revealed that the suspect faces 42 other cases dating back to 1998, including armed robbery, possession of an unlicensed firearm, fraud and impersonating a police officer.
Police believe they have dismantled a syndicate involved in airport following robberies.
The suspect is scheduled to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 3 March 2026.
An investigation has been launched to establish how a serial offender of this nature remained on the streets without conviction.
Police are searching for three other suspects involved in the robbery.
