The Provincial Commissioner ,Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga has instructed that the 72 hour activation plan be implemented. This follows after shocking reports of a Business Robbery and subsequent attack on the police officers at the corners of Parliament and Rose Streets at Central, in Port Elizabeth.
According to information, at about 08:45 this morning, members of Port Elizabeth Flying Squad responded to a complaint of an armed robbery in progress at a bakery. As the police officers arrived, shots were fired. Police returned fire and as a result a police Constable (31 years) was shot in the upper body.
Four suspects who were in the shop were fatally wounded while it is alleged that a 5th suspect managed to escape. Three firearms were recovered at the scene and will be sent to the Ballistic Unit for testing and to establish if they have not been used in other similar crimes in the Province or elsewhere.
The injured member was taken to hospital in a critical condition. Cases of Attempted Murder, Business Robbery including an Inquest are being investigated. SAPS members are hot on the heels of the fifth suspect who managed to evade arrest during the incident.
We are appealing to anyone with information on the outstanding suspect to please come forward. Information may be provided to our Crime Stop number 086 00 10111 or the nearest police station. All information will be treated with strictest confidence and callers may remain anonymous.
“We pray for a speedy recovery for our member who was shot and injured,” added Lieutenant General Ntshinga. The Provincial Commissioner further emphasised that, “an attack on the members of the SAPS is condemned in the strongest terms and attacks on the police amount to an attack on the State, and for this reason we are determined to bring those responsible to justice.”
The 72 Hour Activation Plan entails the mobilisation of critical resources including Crime Intelligence, Forensic Experts, Detective Services and Tactical teams to ensure that no crucial evidence and intelligence are lost.
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