A Pakistani businessman is alleged to have bought stolen phones which he then resold at his shop in Dawncrest, Verulam, north of Durban.
On Tuesday April 30, the businessman was questioned by the Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) and the South African Police Services (SAPS).
A complainant, who was robbed of his mobile phone worth R8 000, sought assistance from RUSA on Tuesday afternoon, said RUSA spokesman, Prem Balram.
“The resident of Trenance Park in Verulam, arrived at the RUSA headquarters at approximately 3.30pm on Tuesday and reported that suspects gained entry into his home and robbed him of valuables. His phone contained study documents in a folder that were irreplaceable. Reaction officers immediately gathered information and tracked two known suspects to Phase Two In Trenance Park,” said Mr Balram.
After a short interview, reaction officers removed cellphones from a cellphone shop owned by a 46-year-old Pakistani national.
When questioned, the Pakistani handed over the stolen Samsung Galaxy A53 mobile phone, belonging to the complainant, said Mr Balram.
It was identified by the serial number and the victim’s photograph on the home screen, he added.
The two suspects then pointed out the victim’s SIM card that was hidden on the property. The Pakistani national informed reaction officers that he arrived in South Africa 18 years ago and had operated his business for several years from Dawncrest.
He sold cellphones for as little as R200.
“According to the two robbers, all stolen item were sold to the Pakistani national at his shop. They said that phones from three victims they had robbed in April 2024 were also sold at his store. The South African Police Services (SAPS) were called to the scene, however, the reaction officers had to release all three suspects after the complainant declined to open a criminal case,” said Mr Balram.
