Pretoria Phone Snatcher Nabbed in Hillbrow After Viral Video Outrage
Johannesburg – A man caught on camera snatching a woman’s cellphone as she entered a restaurant in Pretoria has been arrested in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, following a public outcry and a tip-off to authorities. The arrest was made by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department’s (JMPD) Tactical Response Unit on Tuesday morning.
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla confirmed the arrest to News24, stating, "We can confirm that our Tactical Response Unit officers have arrested a male suspect who is linked to phone snatching incidents. This is after a video went viral of a lady whose phone was snatched."
The arrest follows days of mounting pressure from social media users who rallied in support of the victim and successfully identified the suspect, leading to the widespread circulation of his photos and videos. Social media users also accused him of being involved in a similar phone snatching incident that took place in 2023.
Mgcini Tshwaku, the member of the mayoral committee for public safety, revealed that the suspect, a Zimbabwean national, had attempted to mislead authorities by falsely claiming to be from the Eastern Cape. However, a tip-off led authorities to his hideout in Johannesburg.
"We received a tip-off that he was travelling around Joburg. Our units went underground, traced him and found him at a place where he was hiding," Tshwaku explained.
Tshwaku said the suspect had expressed remorse for his actions. "He is apologising to his victims and is fully cooperative," Tshwaku said.
Tshwaku attributed the successful arrest to the City’s crime-busting unit, the Tactical Response Unit, which was established in 2023 and operates primarily undercover.
"Since 2023, we have established a crime-busting unit called the Tactical Response Unit. About 400 young, energetic officers are working underground," he said.
He explained that the unit relies on tip-offs from hotlines, radio communications, and informers, working in close collaboration with Crime Intelligence and the police. "They are young, excited and ready to work. This is the kind of ghost unit we need to dismantle criminal networks," Tshwaku added.
Further investigations have uncovered a larger cellphone theft syndicate operating between Johannesburg and other regions. Tshwaku explained the modus operandi: "When they snatch a phone, they give it to someone who brings it to Joburg, to a person who specialises in ‘opening’ cellphones."
The arrested suspect has already identified individuals involved in the resale of stolen devices. "Work on the ground is continuing," said Tshwaku, who also urged more victims of cellphone robberies to come forward to assist with investigations. "Lawlessness in the city is reducing because we are present, we are underground, and we are tackling crime head-on," he said.
♦️BREAKING NEWS♦️
The well-known criminal seen in a circulating video smash-and-grabbing a cellphone has been located by the JMPD TRU in Hillbrow. Law enforcement action is underway.
Lawlessness will not be tolerated!!#FestiveTshelaThupa #BuyaMthethoManjeNamhlanje pic.twitter.com/alXih6W6i0
— COJ People’s MMC Public Safety (@PublicSafetyMMC) December 30, 2025
Following the viral outrage, an older CCTV clip from 2023 resurfaced, allegedly showing the same man snatching a cellphone in Hatfield, Tshwane.
X user The Anointed One said: "This guy has been snatching phones for a very long time but this time? He clearly tried the wrong one cos what is this sudden overflow of bad luck?"
Another user said: "This guy does this every year. They keep letting him go. Last year he got a beating but he's back to he's criminal ways."
Authorities have confirmed that investigations are ongoing.
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