VREDE – Police in Vrede, businesses and the local community jointly overpowered two suspects from Gauteng Province who attempted to commit business robbery at a certain shop owned by a foreign national.
It’s alleged that on 23 August 2023 at about 16:45, the foreign businessman and his two employees were inside the shop behind the counter when a suspect walked in and asked the price of the generator, which he seemed interested in buying. He immediately called his colleague to inform him that the generator was available telephonically.
While they were waiting for the transaction to be processed, the suspect drew a firearm and ordered everyone to the ground however he was interrupted by a customer who walked inside the shop. The businessman jumped on the suspect to disarm him with his employees, but in the process, one shot went off and he got injured on the finger. The second suspect was also seen by police and was arrested as he was approaching the business. He also engaged in a shootout with the police. The two were arrested and a firearm with ammunition were seized.
It was established that the firearm wasn’t reported stolen and is subject to further investigations.
The two suspects, aged 42 and 45, are expected to appear before Vrede Magistrate Court on Friday, 24 August 2023 facing charges of attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Content retrieved from: https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=47995.
