A 51-year-old man, Innocent John Pretorius, has been arrested by police in Mpumalanga after months of evading capture. His arrest on February 12 marked a significant breakthrough in an investigation tied to a theft that occurred in July 2024. According to provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, Pretorius allegedly stole valuable items from a 76-year-old pensioner residing at an old-age home in Belfast.
Pretorius, who was working as a cleaner at the institution, is said to have used his position to exploit the situation, taking advantage of his access to steal from the elderly resident. The theft went unnoticed initially, but once it was discovered, a case docket was opened, and the hunt for the suspect began.
Despite the police’s efforts, Pretorius managed to disappear, remaining in hiding for several months. It wasn’t until recently that investigators managed to track him down. Further investigation revealed that he might be linked to other similar thefts at various old-age homes across the region, including in Middelburg, Howard, and Paulpietersburg. The police have not ruled out the possibility that he could be involved in additional crimes at other locations that have not yet been identified.
Pretorius appeared before the Belfast Magistrate’s Court on February 16, where his case was postponed until February 24, 2025. He remains in police custody until his next court appearance. In the wake of the arrest, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, the acting provincial police commissioner, commended the efforts of the police, urging the public to continue trusting the justice system. He emphasized the importance of reporting crimes, as it enables authorities to hold offenders accountable, bringing them to justice when they are caught.
