IOL reported at the time that the unsuspecting sergeant opened the gate at her home and noticed three men who were standing against the wall inside her yard.

One suspect disarmed the sergeant of her service pistol with ammunition.

Hadebe said the trio demanded money from the besieged police officer. While searching the house, they managed to rob her R800 from her wallet.

After the robbery, she was locked in the boot of her car and the suspects fled the scene on foot, taking away her car key.

Later on, the policewoman’s colleagues came to the premises and found the gate locked, but the garage door was open with the lights on inside the house.

“They then gained entry and managed to rescue her with swollen right arm from the locked motor vehicle after utilising a spare key,” said Hadebe.

“Furthermore, the suspect is linked to multiple serious and violent crimes, including a house robbery and attempted murder that occurred Ga-Thaba at 1:20am. The suspect also shot a 15-year-old Grade 10 learner in the process and is currently receiving medical attention at hospital. While at Ga-Thaba on the night of 17 January 2025, between 9pm and 10pm, the suspect also attempted a business robbery at Ga-Thaba Clinic.”

The 27-year-old man is also implicated and directly linked to two house robbery and two counts of rape at Fynbos village on the R37 road.

Hadebe said his modus operandi is to order victims to bath following the rape ordeal.

“The suspect is also linked to another house robbery in the same area. He also committed a house robbery at Matobole village at around 4am and robbed the victims four cellphones and two laptops,” she said.

The suspect is also alleged to have committed three robberies on the evening of Friday.

“In total, the suspect has been linked to over eight serious and violent cases within the Lebowakgomo policing area and Mankweng. The suspect is scheduled to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, January 20, 2025, while our team continues to finalise all other cases associated with him for subsequent court appearances,” said Hadebe.

In addition to the firearm recovered during his arrest, police also recovered several other items, including three laptops, four smartphones, a pair of takkies, a panga, R1,500 in cash, and two pairs of trousers.

“This arrest stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to combating crime and safeguarding our communities,” said Hadebe.