By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Police Minister Bheki Cele has confirmed that at least seven suspects have been arrested in connection with a series of armed robberies in Alexandra.
Cele spoke to the media outside a local police station following a visit to the area on Friday.
The death toll has risen to six after one of the victims died in hospital.
Four others were wounded.
One of the victims was a popular presenter on community radio station Alex FM, Joshua Mbatha.
Cele says the police also recovered ten cell phones, firearms, and ammunition.
“We would like to thank the people of Alex, councillors, and everybody that in the shortest possible time, police have worked well. At least they found one weapon and empty cartridges of a pistol and they have arrested 7 suspects, that’s on the cooperation if the community.
“There are four in hospital now because the fifth one died amongst them, the charges we are talking about murder, attempted murder, and robbery because police have found more than 10 cell phones,” said Cele.
He said the shootings cannot at this stage be linked to recent incidents in KZN, Soweto and Mamelodi.
Meanwhile the Department of Police published the proposed Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill for public comment in June, with the deadline set to close on Friday (15 July).
The bill’s primary objective is to contribute toward the population of a forensic DNA database provided for in the Act and maintained by the South African Police Service.
It is expected that having a robust DNA database will assist in both conducting forensic investigations and helping find suspects in solved crimes.
The department said that collecting buccal samples is especially crucial as many convicted of violent crimes are usually repeat offenders.