A father and daughter duo are in police custody following a dramatic series of events that unfolded in the early hours of yesterday morning in Strand, a coastal town in the Western Cape. The pair, aged 63 and 37, are suspected of housebreaking and theft, after allegedly stealing a generator from a residence. Their attempt to evade capture resulted in a high-speed chase, a collision with a security response vehicle, and ultimately, their arrest.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, 6 May 2025. Strand police spokesperson Anelisiwe Manyana confirmed that officers responded to a complaint of house robbery and theft in William Steward Street at approximately 5am. Upon arrival, they found members of a local security company amidst a tense situation, as community members had already apprehended two suspects found in possession of a generator believed to have been stolen from a nearby property.
According to reports, the suspects were being pursued by security personnel, which led to a high-speed chase through the streets of Gustrouw, a residential area in Strand. The chase culminated in a collision at the corner of Hassan Khan Avenue and Johaar Adams Street, where the suspects' white bakkie (a South African term for a pickup truck) overturned, coming to rest on its roof.
Images from the scene show the upturned bakkie, with onlookers from the community gathering nearby. Police and emergency services were present, attending to the injured and investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Both suspects sustained injuries in the collision and were transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Police spokesperson Anelisiwe Manyana confirmed that both suspects have since been discharged from hospital and are now in police custody.
"Strand police responded to a complaint of house robbery and theft in the early hours of Tuesday 06 May 2025. Upon arrival in the William Steward Street at around 5am they found local security members under attack by community members who apprehended two suspects found in possession of a generator stolen at a nearby premises," said Manyana.
"Reports suggested that the suspects were followed by security personnel which resulted in a high speed chase in the streets of Gustrouw. The driver of the motor vehicle collided with another vehicle. The police members took action when they dispersed the unruly crowd and arrested a male aged 63 and a female aged 37 who also sustained injuries."
"The suspects were transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. We can confirm that both suspects have now been discharged from hospital. Once charged the suspects are expected to make their court appearance in the Strand Magistrates Court," Manyana added.
Niklaas Thysen, Chairperson of the Strand Community Policing Forum (CPF), expressed concern over the prevalence of theft in the area. He stated that the CPF is aware of the incident and is working with the police to address the issue of crime in Strand.
"As per reports gathered on the crime scene. The alleged suspects involved are a father and daughter, driving the white bakkie," said Thysen. "Apparently they got away from the armed response team chasing and got caught up in an accident with the armed response vehicle at the corner of Hassan Khan Avenue an Johaar Adams Street in Strand."
"At this stage the two suspects' whereabouts linking to other crimes are not yet known and will be determined by the Police through their investigation," Thysen added.
The Strand police are currently investigating cases of housebreaking, theft, and reckless and negligent driving in connection with the incident. The investigation aims to determine if the suspects are linked to any other crimes in the area.
The arrest of the father and daughter highlights the ongoing challenges faced by communities in South Africa in combating crime. Housebreaking and theft remain significant concerns, and the incident underscores the importance of community involvement and the role of private security companies in assisting law enforcement.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Strand Magistrates Court once they have been formally charged.
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