{"id":44367,"date":"2023-02-16T06:07:33","date_gmt":"2023-02-16T04:07:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/cityvision\/cable-tie-gang-strikes-twice-in-a-matter-of-days-in-strand-area-20230216\/"},"modified":"2025-03-20T01:33:29","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T23:33:29","slug":"cable-tie-gang-strikes-twice-in-a-matter-of-days-in-strand-area-20230216","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/cityvision\/cable-tie-gang-strikes-twice-in-a-matter-of-days-in-strand-area-20230216\/","title":{"rendered":"Cable tie gang strikes twice in a matter of days in Strand area"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A spate of armed robberies, with the same modus operandi of tying victims with cable ties, has rocked the area of Lwandle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first incident occurred on Thursday 9 February, at the well-known Dr Mzandolo Medical Centre, where four suspects with firearms entered the premises and held occupants at gunpoint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They then took two laptops and two cellphones before fleeing the scene. The incident happened just after 13:00.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second incident, on the same day, occurred at a Somalian Shop on Yotho Street, Lwandle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is alleged that four suspects stormed the shop. The armed suspects tied occupants and took the money, airtime, and cellphones before fleeing the crime scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lwandle police spokesperson Sgt Mthokozisi Gama confirmed both incidents. He said police are seeking public assistance to locate the suspects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne of the armed robberies occurred on Thursday 9 February at about 13:08 at Lwandle Medical Centre. It is alleged that four unknown suspects arrived at the doctor\u2019s room and pointed at the complainant with firearms,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey then tied them with cable ties and took two laptops, two cellphones and (left) the scene. Two hours later, another armed robbery was reported at Yotho Street, in Lwandle,\u201d said Gama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is alleged that four unknown suspects armed with firearms entered the shop and pointed at them (occupants) with firearms. They then tied them with cable ties and took an undisclosed amount of money, airtime and cellphones before fleeing the scene,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gama said police have noticed that a similar modus operandi was used in both incidents. He warned businesses to be more vigilant and beef up their security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Community Policing Forum (CPF) chair Siyabonga Macaula said crime was on the \u201crise\u201d and found it \u201cshocking\u201d to have experienced so much so early in the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe need to have community involvement in all that we are trying to do to fight the scourge of crime. Ever since the outbreak of extortion, these crimes whenever they take place, one finds it difficult not to link them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Macaula said all community structures should help in preaching the gospel about crime in their different constituencies to win the battle against it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n