Gauteng police have apprehended a respondent in nexus with the robbery of foreign students at a school in Mamelodi East in Pretoria on Monday.

The 18 students and their academics were on an outreach visit to the Viva Foundation School in Lusaka, Mamelodi East, when they were reportedly grabbed by five bandits and mugged of their personal belongings.

A member of the public was gunned and injured alongside a school employee struck during the theft. The muggers fled the scene in a Toyota Quantum.

In the words of the force, they said: “A day after the incident, intelligence led the team of investigators to a car-wash spot in Phase 3, Mamelodi East, where a Toyota Quantum matching the description of the one used during the robbery was found.

“The vehicle was processed, leading to the discovery of crucial evidence through which police were able to confirm that the taxi had been used during the commission of the armed robbery”.

“Further investigation led to the apprehension of a 30-year-old male suspect on Thursday night at Pienaarspoort informal settlement in Mamelodi East. Police are hot on the heels of outstanding suspects and believe that it is only a matter of time before they are found and arrested,” police added.

They said the apprehended suspect would face charges of business robbery, attempted murder and assault, which he will face the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Gauteng police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela advised the probing team to maintain the momentum and remain on lookout until the remaining suspects are seen and brought to punishment.

"Criminals must understand that we mean business. They cannot be terrorizing our communities, let alone children as well as visitors to our country, and think they can get away with it. We will not rest until we are convinced that serious and violent crime is a thing of the past," the commissioner said.