Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. A 26-year-old Zimbabwean, Nobert Zapambela, was arrested on Tuesday, 30 December 2025, in Johannesburg, South Africa, by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Tactical Response Unit in connection with a series of phone-snatching incidents across Gauteng, alongside three other suspects linked to a stolen property syndicate.
The arrest followed a viral social media video showing Zapambela snatching a cellphone from a woman.
In a statement, the JMPD said that officers traced him to a flat in Hillbrow, where he was found hiding on a balcony with an unaccounted-for cellphone.
Investigations linked Zapambela to multiple phone-snatching cases across the province, the March 2025 hijacking of an off-duty JMPD officer, and the use of a Toyota Corolla with cloned plates during these crimes.
Following leads on his associates, police also arrested three Bangladeshi nationals in Johannesburg Central.
They are alleged to have reprogrammed or “flushed” stolen cellphones, and officers recovered specialised equipment used in the process.
Zapambela was charged with possession of suspected stolen property and detained at Hillbrow SAPS, while the three Bangladeshi suspects face similar charges at Johannesburg Central SAPS. All four are due to appear in court soon.
JMPD Commissioner Patrick Jaca praised the Tactical Response Unit for their swift action. He said:
“The arrest of these individuals is a significant breakthrough in our ongoing efforts to dismantle syndicates that terrorise our residents.
“By linking this suspect to both the viral video and the hijacking of one of our own members, we are sending a clear message that there is no hiding place for criminals in Johannesburg.
“Our officers are working tirelessly to ensure that all those involved in the value chain of stolen property are brought to book. The search and arrest of more suspects is imminent.”
JMPD said investigations are ongoing, and the search and arrest of more suspects linked to this syndicate is imminent.
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