Police Minister, General Bheki Cele has commended the swift action of police officers in KwaZulu-Natal who intercepted a large gang of would-be robbers targeting a retail outlet and supermarket in Nkandla.
In the early hours of Friday morning officers intercepted three vehicles used by the suspects. There was a shootout between the suspects and the police officers which resulted in two suspects being fatally wounded.
One of the suspects’ vehicles overturned as they attempted to flee, resulting in four sustaining minor injuries whilst a fifth was seriously injured and is in hospital under police guard.
A total of eleven suspects were arrested by police. Five firearms with ammunition were seized from the suspects. Police also seized explosives that were found in their vehicles. Three vehicles have been impounded pending further investigation.
The suspects aged between 29 and 49 will be charged with attempted murder, possession of explosives as well as illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. They will appear in the Nkandla Magistrates court on Monday.
Meanwhile, a 24-year-old suspect was arrested on Wednesday 07 August 2019 by the police at Stockpoort border post in the Lephalale policing area, for possession of undeclared money in South African currency worth one million seven hundred and fifty thousand rands (R1 750 000.00)
Members attached to the said border post were busy with their daily routine duties when the suspect arrived, intending to cross the border into Botswana. When searching his rented vehicle, they discovered a bag full of bank notes in the boot.
The suspect, Nicolas Fouche appeared on Friday at Lephalale magistrate court on a charge of money laundering and was remanded until 15 August 2019 for a formal bail application. Investigations into the origin of the money have already begun.
General Cele has applauded the active policing that’s led to all the arrests. “The intelligence driven operations are yielding positive results, we thank the police for responding positively in stamping the authority of the state. He said “Crime intelligence remains a critical arm in crime prevention, the successes in the two provinces are highly commended.” General Cele concluded.
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