Atteridgeville
By Karabo Marifi
Three suspects, a woman and two men from Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria, have been arrested in connection with a murder and robbery after a 34-year-old man’s body was discovered in the bushes near Xanadu Estate in Hartbeespoort, Northwest. Police investigations revealed that the woman, allegedly working as a “lady of the night”, collaborated with the two men to lure and rob unsuspecting victims, leading to a chilling crime that has shocked the local community.
A Gruesome Discovery Near Xanadu Estate
The arrests follow a disturbing sequence of events that unfolded earlier this month. On Wednesday, 16 April 2025, at around 8:00 PM, the body of a 34-year-old man was found in the bushes near Xanadu Estate, a residential area in Hartbeespoort. This discovery came after a 21-year-old man, who had been robbed in the same area the previous week, spotted the female suspect emerging from the bushes while attempting to board a taxi. The young man, who was passing by with his uncle, immediately recognised her as one of the individuals involved in his robbery on Tuesday, 8 April 2025.
The 21-year-old had been delivering sports equipment to a nearby college when he was ambushed at knifepoint. The robbers stole soccer balls, a jacket, his glasses, and his Volkswagen Polo, which was later found abandoned in the same bushy area where the 34-year-old’s body was discovered. Acting on this lead, the young man and his uncle contacted a neighbour who works for a local security firm. The security officer quickly inspected the area and found the body at the exact spot where the stolen car had been recovered a week earlier.
The Role of the “Lady of the Night”
Northwest police spokesperson Mpho Manyoba revealed chilling details about the suspects’ modus operandi. “Initial investigations revealed that the woman, believed to be working as a ‘lady of the night’, would allegedly lure clients before robbing them with the assistance of the two male accomplices,” said Manyoba. The woman, along with the two men, aged between 22 and 35, are suspected of targeting vulnerable individuals in the Hartbeespoort area, using deception to carry out their crimes.
This wasn’t the first incident linked to the trio. The 21-year-old victim’s robbery on 8 April 2025 highlighted their pattern of crime, which tragically escalated to murder. During the arrests, police confiscated numerous cell phones and other stolen items, including the sports equipment taken from the 21-year-old, directly linking the suspects to both the robbery and the murder.
Swift Police Action Leads to Arrests
The arrests were the result of diligent investigations by the Bojanala sub-district 1 (Brits) detectives, Hartbeespoortdam detectives, and community members who worked together to bring the suspects to justice. Following the lead provided by the 21-year-old victim, police tracked the suspects to the Brazaville Section in Atteridgeville, Gauteng, where the trio was apprehended on Friday, 18 April 2025. The collaboration between law enforcement and the community has been praised as a key factor in the swift resolution of this case.
“During the arrests, police confiscated numerous cell phones and other items, including the sports equipment robbed from the 21-year-old. The trio, aged between 22 and 35, were apprehended and charged with murder and robbery,” said Mpho Manyoba. The suspects are now in custody and are scheduled to appear before the Brits Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 22 April 2025, as investigations continue to uncover the full extent of their criminal activities.
Community Shocked by Rising Crime in Hartbeespoort
The murder and robbery have sent shockwaves through the Hartbeespoort community, a popular tourist destination known for its scenic beauty and tranquil environment. Residents have expressed growing concerns about safety in the area, especially following a series of crimes reported in the Northwest province in recent months. Just weeks ago, on 27 and 28 February 2025, eight suspects were arrested in Atteridgeville and Majakaneng village for possession of a stolen vehicle, robbery, hijacking, and two counts of murder linked to crimes committed in Mooinooi, outside Brits. This pattern of violent crime has left many residents on edge.
Local community leaders have called for increased police patrols and community engagement to address the rising crime rates. “We can’t live in fear like this. Hartbeespoort is supposed to be a safe place for families and tourists, but these incidents are making people scared,” said a local resident who wished to remain anonymous.
Ongoing Investigations and a Call for Public Assistance
Police have indicated that investigations are ongoing, and they are urging anyone with information about the case to come forward. The collaborative efforts between the police and the community have already proven effective in this case, and authorities are hopeful that additional leads will help uncover any other crimes linked to the suspects.
The arrests come amidst a broader crackdown on crime in the Northwest province. Between 7 and 14 April 2025, Operation Shanela, a weekly joint law enforcement initiative, resulted in the arrest of 1,080 suspects for various crimes, including robberies, murders, and illegal possession of firearms. This operation highlights the police’s commitment to tackling crime in the region, but it also underscores the challenges they face in curbing violent offences.
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