Business Robbery
By Lerato Mpembe
Tumahole, Free State – Four suspects aged between 27 and 39 have been arrested in connection with a daring business robbery in Tumahole, Free State, police confirmed on Thursday, 13 March 2025. The arrests follow an incident that took place on Wednesday, 12 March 2025, when the group allegedly stormed a shop in the Lusaka Section, armed with a firearm, and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash and a cellphone. This swift police action underscores the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) commitment to tackling crime in the region, with the suspects now set to face justice in the Parys Magistrate’s Court.
The Robbery Unfolds in Tumahole
The incident occurred at around 12:00 on Wednesday, 12 March 2025, in the bustling Lusaka Section of Tumahole, a township near Parys in the Free State. According to Police Spokesperson Sergeant Josephine Rani from the Office of the Provincial Commissioner Free State, four unknown African males entered a local shop armed with a firearm. “It is alleged that the suspects demanded cash from the shop,” Rani said in a statement released on Thursday. The group reportedly took an undisclosed amount of money and a cellphone before fleeing the scene in a white Polo sedan.
The brazen midday robbery left the shop’s staff and customers shaken, but no injuries were reported. Posts on X from @SAPoliceService corroborate the police account, stating, “The suspects allegedly entered a shop in Lusaka Section on 12 March 2025, armed with a firearm, and took an undisclosed amount of cash and a cellphone.” This swift dissemination of information highlights the SAPS’s efforts to keep the public informed while pursuing the culprits.
Police Chase and Arrest
The South African Police Service wasted no time in responding to the crime. Acting on intelligence and rapid coordination, officers traced the getaway vehicle—a white Polo sedan—and intercepted it on the R42 Barrage Road, a key route in the region. “The vehicle was traced and spotted on the R42 Barrage road, and upon searching the vehicle, the police confiscated a white Polo sedan, a cellphone, one pallet gun, and an undisclosed amount of cash,” Sergeant Rani explained.
The discovery of a pallet gun—a realistic-looking imitation firearm—suggests the robbers may have relied on intimidation rather than lethal force. Alongside the gun, police recovered the stolen cellphone and cash, directly linking the suspects to the crime. The successful operation demonstrates the effectiveness of police patrols and tracking efforts in the Free State, a province often plagued by robberies targeting businesses and individuals.
The four suspects, aged between 27 and 39, were taken into custody and are now facing charges of business robbery. “The four suspects are expected to appear before the Parys Magistrate Court soon, on charges of Business Robbery,” Rani confirmed. This development brings relief to the Tumahole community, which has seen its share of crime in recent years.
A Pattern of Crime in Tumahole and Parys
The Tumahole robbery is not an isolated incident. Research into recent news reveals a troubling trend of criminal activity in the area. For instance, a SowetanLIVE report from 15 April 2024 detailed an ATM bombing in Tumahole, where a suspect was killed and a bystander injured during a shootout with police. The article noted, “When police responded to a complaint of an ATM bombing at the corners of Koloane and Tumahole streets at 2am, they were met with gunfire.” This earlier incident highlights the persistent challenge of armed crime in the township.
Similarly, an IOL article from 5 September 2023 reported a group of 15 heavily armed men robbing a filling station in Parys, locking employees and customers in a room before bombing a safe and escaping with cash and stock. These cases point to a recurring issue of business-targeted robberies in the region, often involving firearms or explosives. The latest Tumahole robbery, while less violent, fits into this broader pattern, raising questions about safety and security for local businesses.
Posts on X also reflect community concern. A user, @FreeStatePulse, tweeted on 13 March 2025, “Another robbery in Tumahole—when will it stop? Good job SAPS, but we need more prevention.” This sentiment underscores the urgency of addressing crime’s root causes in the area.
What the Police Found: New Details
Beyond the initial police statement, additional insights enhance the story. The recovery of a pallet gun, rather than a real firearm, is a notable detail. Pallet guns, while not lethal, can still instil fear and are commonly used in robberies to avoid the harsher penalties associated with real firearms. The fact that the suspects opted for this tactic could influence their sentencing, though business robbery remains a serious offence under South African law.
The R42 Barrage Road, where the suspects were apprehended, is a strategic location connecting Parys to nearby towns like Sasolburg. Its proximity to Tumahole—less than 10 kilometres—allowed police to act quickly, suggesting effective coordination between local units. The confiscated white Polo sedan, a popular vehicle in South Africa, may also provide forensic clues, such as fingerprints or DNA, to strengthen the case against the suspects.
While the amount of cash stolen remains undisclosed, its recovery alongside the cellphone indicates the robbers didn’t get far with their loot. This rapid response could deter similar crimes, sending a message that law enforcement is vigilant in the Free State.
Legal Road Ahead
The four suspects are due to appear in the Parys Magistrate’s Court “soon,” though an exact date has not been specified as of 14 March 2025. In South Africa, business robbery carries severe penalties under the Criminal Procedure Act, especially when firearms—or their imitations—are involved. If convicted, the suspects could face years in prison, depending on factors like prior convictions and the value of the stolen goods.
The Parys Magistrate’s Court has seen similar cases before. For example, a SAPS media statement from 13 January 2025 reported two men, aged 22 and 29, appearing in the same court for murder, house robbery, and vehicle theft. This suggests the court is accustomed to handling serious crimes from the region, and the Tumahole suspects can expect a thorough legal process.
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